Bermuda tourism is facing a manpower crisis as it bids to attract top quality staff needed to establish and maintain five-star service.

Hotel bosses say they are having to compete with destinations worldwide in trying to lure the cream of overseas hospitality professionals to the Island.

And they face a similar problem in trying to attract Bermudians into the industry, trying to convince them that tourism is a worthy career choice and not simply a safety net when all else fails.

Delays in work permit applications, often through no fault of the Immigration Department, coupled with the scarcity of housing and high cost of living often put the Island behind other competing destinations when it comes to attracting non-Bermudian staff.

Cambridge Beaches president Mike Winfield said there would be no need for anger over foreigners taking jobs if there was a supply of locals trained and determined to work their way up the ladder.

And another hotelier said Bermudians who wanted a career in hospitality could "write their own ticket'' and called upon parents and teachers to help steer their charges towards tourism.

Mr. Winfield said: "Hotels continue to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world, yet the entry of labour is at an all-time low. It is one of the most labour-intensive industries and as a result we are facing a labour crisis.

"Contrary to the sometimes political discussions, this is no longer a question of "Bermudianisation''. Bermudians who wish to enter the hotel industry will generally be accepted with open arms.'' But the Bermudian boss added that there had to be an acceptance that locals who wanted careers had to work to get them.

His words were echoed by Ariel Sands general manager Alan Paris, a fellow Bermudian who has worked his way up the ladder.

He said they had to make the industry more attractive but the would-be staff had to realise that they would have to start at the bottom and work their way up.

"Bermudians can write their own ticket. If you have somebody who works their way up, there are very few barriers to advancement other than their own ability,'' he said.

Tourism faces staff crisis "For example, to become a head chef, there is a five- to ten-year work programme, you can't walk in after two years at college to become one.'' Both agreed that there is a need for education to start at an early age to ensure the candidates have the right attitude and aptitude for the job by the time they reach employment age.

And they said they can't afford to compromise on the quality of staff they hire, local or overseas, in order to ensure the excellence demanded by upscale visitors is delivered.

"You have to get the best staff if you are charging $500 a night,'' said Mr.

Winfield. "But there just aren't enough Bermudians who want to provide that level of service available.

"The hotel industry needs non-Bermudians because we want to be the best in the world -- that needs the best staff in the world. We are not saying Bermudians are not capable but there aren't enough.'' Mr. Paris said there was a need for parents and schools to instil professionalism in youngsters in order to stop problems later in their working life.

"Some people you can't blame, you learn professionalism from parents and school, if you don't learn from them you are not going to learn it,'' he said.

"It is such a big issue when you have people in the industry right now working who tell their children it is better to be an accountant. There is nothing wrong with that statement, maybe it is better, but tourism must be viable ten months of the year to attract people.'' "Human capital is the most important thing. Hotels should invest in that as much as they do in the rooms.''