Opposition Senator Michael Dunkley urged Government to drop the spin and get real about Bermuda's tourism prospects.

He said talk about the 'platinum period' flew in the face of depressing statistics as he noted falling arrivals, hotel occupancy figures and tourist spending.

He said December occupancy figures were down eight percent while 2008 cruise arrivals were down 19 percent while air arrivals were also down. Meanwhile the number of tourists staying in private homes had gone up 35 percent said Mr. Dunkley.

He said $5.8 million had been spent on the Bermuda Music Festival but it was unclear how many extra visitors had come.

Sen. Dunkley said: "At this point in time I believe it is best to stop the spin as much as we can and be real with people because people appreciate it."

He said Premier Ewart Brown was right to try to improve the infrastructure and progress was being seen in developments at Newstead, Tucker's Point, Cambridge Beaches, The Reefs and others.

But real success would only come by people giving the right kind of service said Sen. Dunkley who added that Bermuda had some great public senior school facilities but that didn't mean education was in a good state. "We will stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone who is turning tourism around but we need no bias and no bull," said Senator Dunkley.

Junior Tourism Minister Marc Bean said Government was active in trying to reinvigorate tourism as he noted that 40 couples had come for the fourth annual Love Festival but he was unable to say how many had come for the Music Festival.

And he said that Bermuda needed to get away from its stuffy image and get lively entertainment, as he noted the irony of Bermudians whooping it up in venues like Vegas but staying so restrained in their own country.

United Bermuda Party Senator Jeanne Atherden wanted to know how much money was spent getting those 40 couples to Bermuda for the Love Festival and how much they spent while here.

And she said it was important to know whether the event was expanding or whether it needed to be dropped because it wasn't worth the effort.

Also on the motion to adjourn Government Senator Walton Brown complained about people objecting to the Sally Bassett statue.

He said she was a national hero who had stood up to oppression just as Nelson Mandela was seen as a hero worldwide for his efforts against apartheid in South Africa.