The tourism-boosting ideas put forward by visiting British travel expert Mr.

Jonathan deRin at a forum were "crazy notions'', the Hon. CV (Jim) Woolridge said.

The Minister also refuted Mr. deRin's claims that Bermuda's well-to-do main market was disappearing.

Tourism figures showed "just the opposite'', he said.

Mr. deRin had contended Bermuda's main travel market -- the well-heeled traveller -- was all but gone and it was time Tourism looked at other markets.

But Mr. Woolridge pointed to the prestigious Newport-Bermuda yacht race this summer which brought in "150 expensive machines and their owners (and crews)''.

Other statistics showed that for the roughly $12-million advertising budget, Bermuda's visitors spent $640 million here last year, he said. "The spending power is still there,'' he said.

Airport exit surveys also showed Bermuda's visitors were still from affluent areas.

"So I don't know what he's talking about. What is he suggesting we do -- turn around and go down market?,'' he asked.

It is understood the Tourism Ministry wants to track down Mr. deRin for further talks.

He is here on undisclosed business, researching issues on gambling and lotteries for the travel incentive and marketing company Kapok International.

Mr. deRin was not the only one at the forum who tossed about the idea of gambling and increased promotion of eco-tourism to swell tourist numbers.

Several people suggested better highlighting of Bermuda's environmental attractions and further exploring other "niche'' markets such as African Americans and sports and scuba diving. One man asked, "Why not casinos here?'' Mr. Woolridge's reply yesterday was: "I personally do not support gambling of any form in Bermuda.'' What he was in favour of, he said, was building new hotels and upgrading existing ones.

"Travel agents surveyed do not feel Bermuda needs to have casinos,'' he said.

"As far as gambling goes, I think Bermuda has established itself as a prime destination where you can come to and get away. Gambling will not cure all ills.

"In Atlantic City, the only people benefiting are the owners of the Trump Casino. Buildings all around it are dropping down.'' As for a national lottery, proposed by Government backbencher Mr. Trevor Moniz MP, Mr. Woolridge said: "I know locals who pay large percentages of their limited incomes on the football pools -- money which could be more constructively spent on their homes or children.

"I do not support a lottery and I certainly oppose a casino.

"And we are already doing eco-tourism on the Island.

He added it was not a market that would bring large numbers into Bermuda.

But Mr. deRin argued Bermuda had much to offer in the area of eco-tourism.

It had a "large marine sanctuary'' that was apparently forgotten about, "a Biostation that's half asleep'' and an underwater museum proposal "Dr. Saul is trying to build'', he charged.

Mr. deRin made his comments at the second in the Bermuda College Colloquium Series, attended by only nine people. The topic had been taking an inward look at the tourism industry.

He said the Bermuda Government Commission on Competitiveness in its final report released in March had implied Bermuda's exclusive market had disappeared -- "moved on'' to more trendier destinations such as Aruba and Egypt where modern new hotels were being erected.

"It seems to me you don't want to address the mass market,'' he told the forum.

The commission, headed by Mr. Mansfield Brock, also found it was time to "seriously look at the introduction of European-style casino gambling in Bermuda''.

"This is the most important injection of new life and revenue source we (the task force) can suggest,'' the commission's report said. "The concept will give our old, boring image a much-needed new look and help to drive up visitor satisfaction levels.'' However, the commission also recognised gambling would not be a quick or easy solution to the economy and the profile of the typical gamer in the US "is a lower economic profile and educational level than the typical Bermudian visitor''.

Hon. C.V.(Jim) Woolridge.