traditional features, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said yesterday.

And the Island must carry on looking to eastern US markets, Mr. Woolridge added -- because Europe could never provide enough visitors.

Speaking at an international tourism conference at the Bermuda College, he said Bermuda should continue attracting higher-income vacationers.

"If we were to go downmarket we would not be able to meet our obligations in terms of the spending,'' he said. Higher-income visitors had enabled the Island to survive despite the recession.

Mr. Woolridge added "gimmickry'' wouldn't last. Rather, he said, islands should "solidify'' things that have made them what they are. "We would like to attract more people from Europe because they are the long-stay people and their disposable income meets our demographics.

"But we could never attract enough people from Europe to keep our industry going.'' The Minister was giving an opening speech at the Second Island Tourism International Forum, which has attracted experts, industry workers and official representatives from all over the world.

The theme of this year's conference is competitiveness.

The meeting also heard from Maritime Museum director Dr. Edward Harris, who said scientifically preserved monuments and shipwrecks could be made into major tourist attractions.

Dr. Harris said Bermuda's historic buildings, forts and shipwrecks could be a major asset in the future.

But it was up to this generation and the next to reverse the "process of decay'' which had affected many sites.

Wrecks could be major tourism assets but they need to be excavated by archaeologists and their treasures properly kept in museums for the nation, he said.

Other countries had been "led up the garden path'' and allowed "treasure-hunters and commercial divers'' to salvage their underwater heritage.

"This is detrimental in many ways to the host country, and in small countries like ourselves you are basically throwing away an asset which will make money for you for years to come.'' Decent laws were needed to protect historic buildings, wrecks and forts from unwanted or unnecessary development and vandalism. And they needed to be managed by professionals, not amateurs.

The cash to create such attractions could come from major donations from visitors, he added.

"By using these monuments, by preserving them, by asking for the help of our visitors and guests, you will establish personal relationships which will bring people back to your Island again and again.

"I believe this is the way we will be going in Bermuda in the future.'' The conference also heard from Tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips, who told how Bermuda's research into the industry had helped chart a course through changing times.

Studies had shown that while the Island is perceived as somewhat expensive, its beauty, civility, friendliness and closeness to the US make it good value, he said.

More effective promotion of activities and cultural attractions helped a value-for-money perception too.

"I believe that today, Bermuda is on the right track and the Ministry of Tourism is equipped to maintain a competitive edge in the years to come.''*l