Bermuda is to join the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) after receiving the backing of the hotel industry and Cabinet.

Tourism Minister David Allen announced the move yesterday after Government decided to become a part of the huge operation which has every Caribbean country as a member.

He did not reveal what the move would cost Bermuda but yearly dues could be as much as $100,000.

The decision came after a presentation to the Tourism Board earlier in the year. Mr. Allen said the Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA) had backed the move.

"Government sees as a major benefit of the CTO the ability to network with top players in the world tourism industry,'' he said.

He added that it would mean that Bermuda could take part in CTO initiatives aimed at boosting European visitors, eco-tourism and training programmes.

Previously, some hoteliers had warned against forging alliances with the region -- principally because it might undo much of the hard work aimed at getting the message across that Bermuda was not part of the Caribbean.

In Europe, it was claimed, there is a perception that Bermuda is aligned geographically and seasonally with the Caribbean.

But Mr. Allen added that, "given Bermuda's limited resources for marketing in that area'', membership could be "most beneficial in further developing that growing market''.

His comments come after this year's budget, when the Bermuda Tourism Europe office had its quota cut by $250,000.

The Minister made it clear that the Island did not have to take part in all of the CTO marketing schemes.

He said: "Since there is a need for Bermuda to, in many cases, maintain its own distinctive marketing programmes, including those geared to its own particular seasonality, for example, we will be able to pick and choose the CTO programmes in which we will be involved.'' According to a statement given by Mr. Allen to the House of Assembly yesterday, the decision follows input from the National Tourism Action Group, Tourism Board and BHA.

The BHA is already a member of the Caribbean Hotel Association.

"We considered it important that our leading stake holders in the industry were part of this decision, since it is Government's intention that the development of our tourism industry be a true partnership with the private sector,'' said Mr. Allen.

There are currently 32 member countries. Each member has two votes. There are CTO offices in New York, London and Toronto -- locations where Bermuda Tourism also has staff.