In spite of the continued free fall in visitor numbers, Tourism Minister David Allen gets mixed marks on delivery of his manifesto promises at the last election.

Mr. Allen was tripped up by his incredible claim in the run-up to the election that he would implement a 100-day rescue plan for the ailing industry.

He has delivered on big issues such as the Hotel Concessions Act, which give tax breaks for hotels carrying out major refurbishments of $1 million or more, and alcohol duty concessions for these properties employing Bermudian entertainers. Critics point out the Act has only benefited seven hotels.

Eco-tourism has been pushed at Daniel's Head, and heritage tourism has been enhanced through the establishment of the African Diaspora trail.

Special interest tourism through bird watching at Nonsuch Island has been improved, and promotion of adventure sports has been achieved to a limited extent. The game fishing tournament has been launched, but there have been none of the promised initiatives on scuba diving or wind surfing.

Mr. Allen has tried to deliver on opening up new markets - expanding Europe, pushing into Latin America - but there has been little tangible success.

Likewise, the promise to push for new gateways has been a temporary success: a new flight was gained out of St. Louis, but it flopped due to poor passenger loads.

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) promised to deliver a "National Tourism Plan" but critics say it does not exist. Certainly there is no air strategy and still no cruise ship policy.

The manifesto states PLP policy will be informed by the "findings of a National Tourism Action Group (NTAG), to be established with representatives of all ancillary interests".

NTAG is a think tank of the Tourism Board, and Mr. Allen may argue the National Tourism Plan is the strategy worked out by the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism, the private and public sector body he established.

But there is no sign of Government delivering the promise to introduce duty free shopping for tourist-orientated products.

There is no evidence of a revamped spring break programme to attract college students; no noticeable "frequent visitor" programme; no tangible move to attract more families; none of the promised study tours for visitors; and no reintroduction of hotel training units in schools.

Nor has Mr. Allen established the promised "full-scale meetings and convention division" in all tourism department offices. The convention division has always existed but has not been dramatically expanded to include every office.