European visitors to Bermuda.

Yesterday the Tourism Minister spoke of his high hopes over the private discussions.

But the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said Government would not rush into any commitment.

He cautioned: "It takes time. You don't develop routes overnight, and we are looking at things in the long range.

"Nevertheless I am very optimistic at the way the talks have gone so far.'' Mr. Woolridge was speaking in response to criticism from Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen.

Mr. Allen claimed Bermuda was ignoring Europe's potential as a major tourism source.

With droves of Europeans heading west because of the falling US dollar, Bermuda was losing out, he said.

And he called on Government to get an air carrier out of Europe, and organise special sporting charter flights.

Germans, for instance, could be enticed to the Island by golf or scuba diving charters, argued Mr. Allen.

Mr. Woolridge, however, yesterday firmly rebutted the criticism.

He hit back: "We are already promoting Bermuda in Europe, and have been doing so for a long time.

"We have had a marked increase in traffic from that area.'' Mr. Woolridge revealed he had flown to Europe in April in the hope of organising routes to Europe.

Ongoing discussions were being held with two airlines, and were progressing well, he added.

But Mr. Woolridge declined to identify the airlines.

"We are looking at all our options and are certainly not turning our heads from Europe.'' Mr. Woolridge said the idea of special charter flights had also been examined by the Department of Tourism and consultants.

"Charters would be possible but only with a Government subsidy,'' he said.

This meant Government would have to pay for any seats not filled on a flight.

"We did not think we were prepared to do that at this particular time because of the financial constraints on us,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

Mr. Woolridge said Bermuda was already well served by airlines, with regular flights a day out of 10 gateway cities.

There were, however, only two flights a week out of London's Gatwick airport.

Mr. Woolridge pointed out airlines worldwide were suffering from the recession.

"More airlines have gone bust in the last 18 months than at any time in their history,'' he said.

"It is important to remember this is the backdrop against which we are operating.'' The Hon. D. V. (Jim) Woolridge