The Chamber of Commerce is adopting a wait and see attitude with regards to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

However preliminary information suggests the transition from the present Tourism Department to the new organisation will be a good move.

Chamber president A. Michael Smith said members of the organisation were waiting to hear details about the authority and the substance it would take.

"At the moment we are just waiting for the consultant's report so we can get a better grasp of what are the current best practices elsewhere so the Bermuda Tourism Authority can get on track right from the outset.'' That report is expected shortly.

Mr. Smith also said the decision to privatise local tourism's governing body is a very positive development: "We do not see any down sides,'' he said Getting management of the Island's one-time main industry out of Government's hands and running it separately, while still retaining links with Government, would change several things, noted Mr. Smith.

The authority's Board of Directors should be more powerful than the present Tourism Board and be able to direct activity in the industry. Under the present organisation, the Minister and senior civil servants called the shots, he said.

And by having input from both the private and public sectors, the authority's board should be more dynamic and progressive.

This should encourage better management of the numerous initiatives underway through Monitor Company, MCA and the Freeman Group.

Mr. Smith noted that it would also strengthen the link between the public and private sectors and give a chance for new blood to get involved. This should allow more input into tourism from Bermuda's business world.

Meanwhile the new body would also be held accountable, added Mr. Smith.

If it did not perform successfully, changes could be made to it in the same fashion that changes would be made to an unsuccessful business.