Government should not be blamed for failing to introduce changes that could help the Island's failing tourism industry to recover, Acting Tourism Minister Pamela Gordon charged this week.

"If some of our more outspoken businessmen spent a little more time thinking about how to improve their own product instead of constantly criticising the Government, the Island as a whole would be better off in the long run,'' she said in response to criticisms of the Ministry by businessman John Casling.

Mr. Casling said Tourism Department comments that Bermuda should be proud of halting the industry's decline were "pathetic''.

He said the department needed to come up with a plan to boost the flagging industry's numbers before they hit bottom.

Ms Gordon agreed that Bermuda could not continue to offer a redundant product.

But she added that he had to understand that while Government was responsible for marketing the Island overseas, the private sector -- "people like himself'' -- were responsible for "the shape and sparkle of the Bermuda product''.

Ms Gordon said: "I was astonished and greatly concerned by Mr. Casling's intemperate outburst.

"I am duty bound to remind the public, and especially Mr. Casling, that the Department of Tourism cannot be blamed for failing to introduce the kind of changes Mr. Casling feels ought to be made...Civil servants do not determine policy.'' Mr. Casling said a weekend cruise ship and gambling were options that Government should consider implementing to help the industry.

But Ms Gordon retaliated: "I must also make it clear that Government makes policy decisions for the benefit of the entire Island, not just one small group of businesses.

"Such simple fixes as more cruise ships and the introduction of casinos do not appear as attractive to the Government as they do to Mr. Casling.'' Because of Government's obligation to the people of Bermuda, she continued, it had no intention of making any decisions which could be a detriment to Bermuda in the long run.

Pamela Gordon