feel committed to either international business or tourism, it was revealed yesterday.

The survey commissioned by the Bermuda International Business Association showed 52 percent of Bermudians do not feel an "ownership or a personal involvement in international business'' though they may be linked to it, said BIBA deputy chairman Mr. Glenn Titterton.

He added that only nine percent of those surveyed felt a commitment to both.

The survey was conducted to probe local perceptions of international business, which now contributes a similar amount to the Bermuda economy as tourism. BIBA is pursuing the research to produce a programme to increase industry awareness and support.

The survey also indicated people feel the growth of international business is good for Bermuda and it will become more important that tourism in five years.

"We feel it is critical for Bermudians to feel committed to both international business and tourism. The two industries depend on each other and both need to be nurtured,'' commented Mr. Tom Davis, head of BIBA's local marketing committee.

BIBA is "concerned'' that one industry may be perceived as more important than the other, he added.

The survey included six survey student groups and 402 telephone interviews with adult Bermudians between age 25 and age 54.

"The focus groups with high school and Bermuda College students, conducted by Mr. Walton Brown's company, Research Innovations, indicated that students have only a superficial understanding of the international business industry. They want more information and guidance on how to apply for scholarships and how to make good career choices,'' said Mr. Titterton.

Mr. Brown also conducted a series of in-depth interviews with guidance counsellors which indicated they "felt they were not well-informed about the industry, pointing out that most of their time was is taken up with administrative matters, leaving them with little time to spend in assisting in career guidance,'' Mr. Titterton said.

The telephone survey "also indicated a superficial understanding of the international business industry among Bermudians of working age,'' Mr.

Titterton explained.

"There is a sense of racial and gender inequality when it comes to job opportunities and career advancement. Black Bermudians don't feel they have equal opportunity for job hiring and/or advancement. There is a feeling that top jobs are held only by non-Bermudians, however, there is a belief that appropriate education levels the playing field,'' he commented.

BIBA chose to point to initial findings yesterday and expects a more comprehensive release in future. Other key findings will be taken into consideration as BIBA continues to work with other organisations and government departments.

BIBA will use this survey, as a "baseline'' to measure changes in opinions and may conduct another similar study in about 18 months, added Ms Wendy Davis Johnson, marketing manager at BIBA.

BIBA plans to work with education and tourism ministries, the Bermuda Insurance Institute, the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce and the Insurance Advisory Committee, to create programmes to address some of the issues raised in the study.

The research results were presented yesterday morning to representatives of the insurance industry, the Chamber, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism, according to a release from BIBA.

The initial findings of the study come less than a week after Mr. Eldon Trimingham, chairman of the Bank of Bermuda, said that tourism is a critical component in the success of any offshore jurisdiction.

"Without it (tourism) you are not even in the game,'' he commented last Wednesday, at a Lions luncheon.

Market Facts of Canada analysed responses to 54 questions and applied the findings to a research device called a conversion model, which can be used to measure commitment to products, companies or business sectors.

The $42,000 survey will be paid for by BIBA members.

Mr. Glenn Titterton.