The row between Tourism chiefs and the company hired to organise a prestigious conference on the Island could soon be resolved.

The Afro American Global Trade and Tourism Council has threatened legal action against the Department of Tourism, claiming the Department has reneged on a contract to promote the World Conference of Mayors, due to take place in November. But while both sides are sticking to their guns in the dispute, a breakthrough meeting between the two camps could take place in the next few days.

On Tuesday AAGTTC chief Bonnie Marshall revealed that she will be flying to Bermuda later today to make further arrangements for the conference.

And last night Tourism Director Gary Phillips said that he would be willing to speak to Ms Marshall if she contacts him when she arrives.

"I don't like not returning my calls,'' he said.

Previously Tourism Minister David Dodwell expressed caution at any meeting, saying that the Department would have to seek advice from the Solicitor General before talks take place.

Last night the lawyer representing Ms Marshall agreed that the move was a step in the right direction.

Continued on page 3 Resolution seen in dispute over mayors' conference And he suggested that, once the two camps had put their emotions aside, they would find that they were close to an agreement.

"At last we can sit down and work through this thing and that's something that Ms Marshall will go along with,'' attorney Phil Perinchief said.

Ms Marshall claims that the Department has failed to pay her organisation $75,000, part of a $100,000 contract the Department signed as title sponsors.

But last week Tourism chiefs hit back claiming that the contract, signed with the World Conference of Mayors and not the AAGTTC, stipulates that a marketing strategy would have to be produced before any further payments are made.

Yesterday Ms Marshall provided The Royal Gazette with a copy of a letter from Mr. Phillips written on August 7 confirming that he had received the plan.

But last night the Tourism Director insisted that that plan had not been detailed enough and that, until a more thorough report had been submitted, no further payments could be made.

TOURISM TOU