FRUSTRATED visitors yesterday issued a dire warning to Government: Hasten the arrivals process at the Bermuda Airport or watch tourism's continued decline.

To be greeted by such a ridiculously slow process was absurd, and could have an especially detrimental effect on the first-time visitor, said frequent Bermuda visitor Dr. F. William Danby of New Hampshire, who arrived with his wife on May 23 for a wedding.

"We were in the terminal by 12.45," he said. "The reception hall was absolutely full but we were able to find room at the back by squeezing past the welcoming band. No movement occurred until 1 p.m. and it took until 2.35 p.m. before we cleared customs and immigration. A rumour was circulating that the staff was on lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. If true, this represents monumental shortsightedness.

"If not true, the wait is still totally unacceptable, particularly since the booths were never fully staffed at any time during our wait. We waited for an hour and 45 minutes and there was no public announcement. Nobody made any comments about the cause of the delay or even gave us an excuse as to why we were stuck there.

"I think it was a policeman who picked out folks with kids and wheelchairs and took them (to be processed faster) which was greatly appreciated. We travel a lot and there's only been one place that was worse and that was coming out of the Caribbean into Miami. And that's because they're worried about drugs there.

"What can you do? If I were a first-time visitor, I would be resolving 'Never Again'. I would suggest that steps be taken by the appropriate authorities to ensure that 'Never Again' becomes part of their aim (and accomplishment). Bermuda is having enough difficulties without negative first impressions that are totally avoidable."

It was only last week that Finance Minister Eugene Cox, whose Ministry is responsible for Customs and Immigration, told the House of Assembly that such delays were rare occurrences and that the problems which caused them had since been corrected.

"Things are working well," he said at the time. "(The Opposition) is telling a big falsehood. They are saying people are daily coming into this country and having to wait hours in line and it is happening not one day, but every day. If the Honourable Members were being fair and truthful, they would realise it was one day. The Collector of Customs said the international standard was 45 seconds per person, but we're doing 35 people per second."

Dr. Danby said he travelled to Bermuda "every couple of years" and normally found the Customs area to be "highly efficient" and the people "very friendly" but he was moved to write a letter to the Mid-Ocean News (see page 7) so that something could be done to improve the situation.

"I don't know what the problem was on that day. It is my understanding that five planes were in at once and it was a holiday weekend and so it was crowded, but they should have prepared for that. Most people weren't complaining. Most people don't like to make a fuss but there was a gentleman behind me from the United States who said he had friends in high places and was going to make a fuss.

"What can I say except that something needs to be done. I felt sorry for the poor cabbies. There were people who had pre-booked cabs and the cabbies were sitting outside waiting when they could have been in Hamilton or somewhere else getting a fare.

"Island hosts were kept waiting in the heat, disrupting personal schedules. As PR for the island, it was appalling. Bermuda doesn't get a second chance to make a first impression on its visitors."

A second couple, who arrived on a flight from the United Kingdom on Tuesday, had to wait just over an hour - again, without explanation - and although theirs was full, it was the only plane that arrived at that time.

"We had to wait over an hour," the woman told the Mid-Ocean News. "The flight was completely full and there were only three immigration officers on duty and one was for the locals. There were two, if not three desks completely vacant. I don't remember ever having to wait that long before.

"I had my host outside waiting for me all that time and I was uncomfortable about that. It's such a shame. I know that Bermuda wants to attract tourists to the island and for first-timers, to come off a long flight and have to stand there all that time.

"It was quite hot and incredibly tiresome and people weren't exactly thrilled about it. I would have liked to have seen more people on the desk. It was the only flight in at that time, they should be able to regulate it a bit better.There was somebody playing steel drums; it would have been better if they had been pulled him over to sit at immigration." Finance Minster Eugene Cox and Permanent Secretary for Finance Donald Scott did not return calls yesterday.