match over plans to revitalise tourism.

Shadow Minister David Dodwell has claimed there is no definite plan for re-establishing the hospitality industry, which he said was promised by the Progressive Labour Party in its first 100 days.

But the Minister pointed to the plan, outlined in the PLP platform, that was formulated before the November Election, which he said is still alive and being modified day by day.

Mr. Allen said the United Bermuda Party were scratching around for straws and accused them of spreading "misinformation'' about the progress made so far.

The row has simmered since the announcement that USAirways is to drop its service from New York's LaGuardia Airport next year.

In the latest exchange, Mr. Dodwell pointed to a mini-conference due to be held yesterday which he said invited members of the business and retail community to discuss a business plan for tourism.

"The Minister finally recognises that he hasn't a plan. He promised within 100 days there would be a plan. It has never been revealed because it doesn't exist,'' he said.

Mr. Dodwell said any opportunity to get industry partners together, like yesterday's meeting at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, was welcome, but a subject as broad as a "business plan'' was difficult to tackle in one day.

"The Minister has a vision, the difficulty is that he doesn't have enough people following that vision because it hasn't been put in a plan,'' Mr.

Dodwell said. "Tourism partners need a road map to follow -- there isn't one.'' But Mr. Allen dismissed the claims as nonsense, adding that Mr. Dodwell "really needed to do his homework''.

He said talk of a plan for revitalising tourism just being developed was ridiculous, adding that the plan had been part of the PLP pre-election platform and had simply moved on from there.

"There has been a plan from the very beginning and elements have been implemented,'' he said. "We are constantly building upon and refining the plan as visitor needs change.

"We came in as Government with a plan outlined in the platform, we said we would be working with the private sector to develop it.'' He said the meeting today was part of that ongoing process, and some of the ideas from the business community would help shape the upcoming marketing plans set to launch early in the New Year.

And he cited a raft of tourism successes which the PLP had accomplished during its first year.

A sixth cruise ship, new air service, new visitor attractions through the Bermuda Experience Network, a cruise-and-stay initiative and an eco-tourism resort were all flagged by the Minister.

And he pointed to the communication channels set up by the new Government, to allow the sharing of ideas between tourism, business and industry partners.

Meetings between hoteliers, Government and unions had taken place, he said, including four major summits involving Premier Jennifer Smith.

"On top of that we meet each month with the Bermuda Hotel Association,'' Mr.

Allen pointed out. "We want their participation. If that isn't communication, then I don't know what is.'' Mr. Allen also had a word for the critics of Government attendance at the UK Labour Party conference in Bournemouth recently.

He said the event enabled several Ministers to get direct access to the British Government and brought instant success.

"We achieved more in Bournemouth in those few days than the UBP could have done running around Whitehall,'' he said.

David Alllen David Dodwell