Tourism Heritage Exhibition last night was rocked by a late decision to withdraw the keynote film, `Tourism In Our Lives'.

The Royal Gazette understands Tourism Director Gary Phillips pulled the film after viewing it on Monday for the Visitor Industry Partnership who pumped an undisclosed amount of cash into the $15,000 project.

It is understood that he and the Visitor Industry Partnership considered the film to be "too honest'' and even comments by Tourism Minister David Dodwell were too negative, said a person who attended the event and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs have called an emergency meeting to screen the film this morning and the film has been plucked from VSB television tomorrow night.

However a source close to the Visitor Industry Partnership said the organisation had no difficulty with the film itself but felt it did not focus enough on the positive aspects of the Island's Tourism industry.

Nor did it reflect the new "passion for tourism'' that Mr. Dodwell has been trying to promote.

It was produced by local filmmaker Bill Madden through a formula prepared by the exhibition committee of the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Some 60 local residents were canvassed for their opinions on the topic of Tourism and a half-hour film was the final product.