tomorrow's Budget, shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell has urged.

Mr. Dodwell alleged the Progressive Labour Party has not delivered on many key election promises. He reiterated his call for a Tourism Authority funded by the public and private sector to be established to replace the Tourism Board to focus all partners on the task of revitalising the ailing industry.

"This is the worst year in 20 for tourism. We are in a very precarious position and we've seen a serious downturn since the PLP was elected,'' Mr.

Dodwell said.

"The Delta and TWA flights have been cancelled and we've lost a cruise ship.

"The promises the PLP made at the last election are not only not being met, but there is also a decline in numbers and a failure of strategy.

"On specific election promises, there was an airline strategy and we haven't seen that. We haven't seen the cruise policy.

"They promised a 100 day rescue plan and there is still no tangible plan in place that says what the Government is going to do over tourism.

"We have a spending government, but there is less revenue from tourism and I don't believe the international business, broadly and indirectly across the community, can make up for the declines.

"And when it comes to the hospitality industry, we can't tax that.'' Referring to a Tourism Authority, which the United Bermuda Party planned to introduce if it was re-elected, Mr. Dodwell said: "For a true partnership between public and private sector, the key players must invest not just their hearts and minds, but their dollars and cents.'' The Tourism Authority would replace the current Tourist Board, which acts as an advisory authority for Tourism Minister David Allen, who can ignore its recommendations.

He said he was not criticising the tourism conduit alliance set up by Government and the private sector to look at turning the industry around, but he felt a Tourism Authority would be more dynamic and focused.

Government also had to improve the tourist product on the Island if Bermuda is to be able to compete with other destinations.

"All of these things can be achieved if we have a Tourism Authority, and I would again appeal to the minister to consider this.'' Meanwhile, hotels are not expecting many surprises in the budget and are looking for stability, according to Fairmont Hamilton Princess vice-president and general manager Michael Kaile.

He said the hotels were happy with the duty breaks in the Hotels Concession Act and were now looking for consistency in the budget.

"Our major issue is the Hotel Concessions Act and that's now legislation,'' he said.

"We're seeing the first green shoots of life, and it is unlikely that any finance minister would now want to club us over the head with a tax.

"Government is working with the hotels and having charted this course, consistency through 2001 one would hope would be the mantra.''