Bermuda has nothing to fear and much to gain if it links up with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), it has been claimed.

A senior CTO official said he believed the rich vein of tourism research and data that the Island could tap into -- if it became a member -- would far outweigh any perceived concerns over marketing.

Michael Youngman, director of marketing worldwide for CTO, said he could not see any drawbacks to Bermuda if it joined the CTO and added that being part of the CTO would not affect the Island's distinct image.

He said fears over the possibility of undoing Bermuda's efforts to distance itself from the Caribbean in terms of marketing were "far fetched''.

"So Bermuda isn't in the Caribbean. So what?'' said Mr. Youngman.

"There are plenty of cases that could be made why Bermuda should join. Other members are not in the Caribbean, like Mexico.

"All of the members need to be promoting themselves for what they are.

Everyone looks for their own niche and promotes the hell out of it.'' Mr. Youngman said CTO had a vast amount of market intelligence from North America and other parts of the world that members could use to their advantage.

There was also access to European and other funding sources plus the use of CTO's global Internet link.

"There are elements of the marketing campaign that Bermuda could tag onto. We have an extensive system of travel agents in different parts of the world.

Bermuda could benefit from that very much.'' Some Island officials believe there is much to learn from networking with the Caribbean, which has overtaken Bermuda in many aspects of Island tourism.

However others are concerned that any alliance would confuse its image in the marketplace.

Bermuda has strong emotional and cultural ties to the region and this summer will participate in Carifesta in St. Kitt's and Nevis for the first time in five years.

But many believe a tourism link-up could "muddy'' the waters in terms of overseas promotions, where much advertising has been aimed at separating Bermuda from the Caribbean in the eyes of consumers.

Mr. Youngman said there was only one level of membership and members did not have to participate in generic advertising.

The cost of joining is determined by the country's size and volume of visitors, on a sliding scale up to approximately $100,000. Each member country has two votes.

All 32 Caribbean nations are in the CTO and Bermuda would have to be accepted, a hurdle Mr. Youngman did not see as a problem.

"I don't see any harm that could come to Bermuda with an alliance. There is nothing to lose from associating with the Caribbean, so they will decide if they want to come and we shall welcome them.

"They would have to be accepted but with Bermuda it would be a case of going through the motions.'' CTO officials have already made a presentation to the Bermuda Tourism Board and Tourism Minister David Allen is to make a recommendation to Cabinet, which will then make the final decision.