A frequent Bermuda visitor yesterday claimed a limousine driver's rudeness might stop him from ever returning.

And New Yorker Ken Smith said he would be writing a letter to a top US newspaper to warn fellow travellers of his experience.

Mr. Smith told The Royal Gazette that he loved Bermuda and had visited the Island 29 times -- the last trip just last month.

He spent July 1 to July 28 on-Island at Marula Guest Apartments and made arrangements to be taken to the Airport by limousine firm Bermuda Hosts Limited.

Mr. Smith said he arranged to be picked up at the Hamilton Princess and confirmed his reservation on the day before he was due to leave.

But he arrived at the hotel for his ride and was told by the driver that his name was not on the pick-up list.

"When I insisted that I indeed had a reservation, he became angry and caused me great embarrassment and refused to allow me to enter the bus.

"When I asked him for his name he said it was Hitler -- not funny. He also told me to shut my mouth.'' When contacted, Bermuda Hosts' president Stephen Martin confirmed that Mr.

Smith's reservation was indeed taken and confirmed.

However he was a cash-paying customer who had booked at short notice and this meant he had to wait until the people with pre-arranged transfers on Bermuda Hosts' service were seated.

Mr. Martin said the driver attempted to explain this obligation to Mr. Smith who became very impatient.

"It was obvious that this gentleman wanted to get on and was impatient to get going, but the driver had a lot of people with pre-arranged transport to put on first -- that's standard procedure.'' He added that the driver had always seemed pleasant but stressed that he could not comment on what was said between the two men.

However Mr. Smith did get on the bus and was taken to the Airport as arranged, stressed Mr. Martin.

Mr. Smith never mentioned this point when he contacted The Royal Gazette by letter.

Mr. Smith said he was offended by the treatment which had caused him to reconsider ever returning to Bermuda.

"After 29 visits to Bermuda -- always by air -- I guess I could be considered a valued source of tourist income for the Island.

"However, the advice to shut my mouth may cause me to shut my wallet when considering my next vacation.

"A very bad way to end a delightful holiday, especially for one who loves Bermuda.'' Mr. Smith noted that Louise and Henry DeSilva at Marula Guests House had provided a warm welcome, defined the term "perfect hosts'' and provided a lovely place to stay on holiday.

But he added: "I will also write a letter to The New York Times and warn people that Bermuda Hosts' service is perhaps in need of some lessons in simple manners.'' Mr. Martin pointed out that he had just taken over as head of Bermuda Hosts and a rigorous training programme for all the drivers was underway which would teach them to handle different situations.

And he stressed that all complaints to the company were followed up so he would be contacting Mr. Smith directly.

TOURISM TOU