Shadow Tourism Minister Michael Dunkley has called Premier Ewart Brown's trip to create tourism ties with India "hogwash".

Dr. Brown heads to India on a trade delegation tonight with Sandys South Central MP Walter Lister, a representative from the Bermuda International Business Association and a team from the Finance Ministry.

The Premier, who is also the Island's Tourism Minister, stated earlier this week that the trip would hopefully explore links with India for business and put Bermuda on the radar for tourism.

"We do not take issue with the international business aspect of the trip, but the tourism line is hogwash and a poor excuse for continuing the Premier's worldwide farewell tour," said Mr. Dunkley yesterday.

"It may sound good on TV, it may read well in print, but it really amounts to nothing more than a pleasant diversion from the job at hand.

"Tourism is facing its most challenging year in decades [EmDash] virtually all hotel operations are hanging by the skin of their teeth; the industry is in terminal decline and the minister would rather travel the world."

Recent Government figures show a decline in the number of air arrivals in the third quarter of 2009 <\!m> 79,810 compared to 84,463 in 2008 and 97,875 in 2007.

And while cruise ship arrivals were up for the same quarter with 141,828 arrivals <\!m><\p>an increase of 27,595 over 2008 <\!m> they were down by 33,320 compared with 2007.

Revenue for the hotel industry also showed a decline compared to the same period in 2007 and 2008.

Visitors spent $72.8 million in hotels and guesthouses in the third quarter of 2009 <\!m> a decrease of $13.8 million from 2008 and $26 million from 2007.

Repeated questions from this newspaper to the Premier's press secretary Arnold Minors about the substance of the trip and who the Premier would be meeting provided few details.

Mr. Minors would only indicate that the Premier would visit New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, and that the schedule had not been confirmed.

Asked if Dr. Brown would fly coach class, Mr. Minors replied: "The Premier is travelling according to policy."

Mr. Dunkley urged the Premier to explain his plan to prevent the collapse of Bermuda's tourism rather than continue travelling around the world.

"The United Bermuda Party is not prepared to stand by and allow this vital industry be run into the ground by the failed leadership of the minister.

"And so, in the first instance, we demand that he come forward and tell Bermuda what is the plan. What are the images and messages Bermuda is projecting to attract visitors from core markets?

"What steps are in place to compete effectively? The India trip is symptomatic of serious lack of leadership and disconnect enlarged by his own retirement plan. It's what happens with lame ducks.

"Bermuda deserves better."

The group is expected to return from India on Wednesday.