the year 2000.

And Ministry of Tourism officials are hoping for business from Europe, and possibly Japan, as the market from America is expected to decline worldwide.

But the Opposition believe the Government has not been aggressive enough in finding alternatives to the American market, and could have acted sooner to cushion the effects of the recession.

Senate Tourism spokesman the Hon. Michael Winfield (UBP) pointed out that the US will continue to be the major source of the Island's visitors.

Sen. Winfield said the recession had meant a slowdown in visitors over the past couple of years and pointed out that America is likely to decline in Worldwide tourism importance, slipping behind Germany and Japan by the Year 2000.

He said that the merger of British Airways and Dan Air could mean more Europeans visiting the Island via London.

Sen. Winfield pointed out the importance of the cruise ships. He said there had been a 2.8 percent reduction in air arrivals compared to a 2.1 percent increase in cruise passengers visiting the Island.

He also praised the 68 Degree Temperature Guarantee Scheme which he said had been praised throughout the travel industry.

Sen. Winfield said interest was increasing in the Island's culture with a significant array of cultural aspects to interest many people throughout the world.

Nine out of ten visitors to Bermuda were pleased with their trips and found the Island safe, civilised and relaxing with friendly people, in 1992. Seventy five percent of visitors said they would come back.

Opposition Tourism spokesman Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) said that work at the airport should have been completed earlier and said he was concerned that during the peak season visitors would be queuing from the immigration counter back to the aircraft.

Sen. Woolridge called for more co-operation between the education and tourism officials in providing training for young Bermudians to enter the hotel industry.

But he said that there must be opportunities for promotion to official positions if the young people were to be attracted to hotels.

Sen. Woolridge expressed concern over reports from Shadow Tourism Minister Mr.

David Allen, who feared the cuts in American Airlines could lead to the loss to the Bermuda-Raleigh/Durham service.

Concerning Europe, he said: "The Government appear to be waiting for America to recover before they become as aggressive as they should be. The $500,000 they have allocated to Europe is just a drop in the bucket.

"The PLP, as far back as 1989, was calling for this Government to move towards Europe, by advertising golf, scuba diving and fishing which Europeans enjoy. It might have provided a cushion in these recessionary times.'' Sen. Woolridge also called on more efforts to be made to encourage students to boost the annual college weeks which appear to be declining.

Sen. Joe Johnson (Ind) agreed with the PLP spokesman and called for more work to get Bermudians in the hotel business. He said: "Parents have been trying to get better things for their children which has stigmatised the service industries in this country.''