over the future of Club Med in St. George's.

Hoteliers from a successful 350-room establishment in Massachusetts spent some days at the Club Med building and are now considering making a bid.

Mr. Woolridge said: "They run a very successful hotel, I have stayed there a number of times. And they are extremely interested in Club Med.

"There are looking to see if all their figures add up before coming back to me. I am delighted with this positive approach to Club Med and I am hoping to have good news in the first part of the year.'' Club Med has been closed more than five years and various ideas have been put forward for its future use, but Mr. Woolridge stressed the Massachussets businessmen were considering a hotel.

The Minister believes it will be another success to show for his Ministry's hard work during the year, and he added that he was furious with comments made by Bermuda Hotels Association executive director Mr. John Harvey.

Mr. Harvey claimed hotels were facing stiff competition from cruise ships and added the loss of the charter flight from Providence, Rhode Island was a blow.

Angry Mr. Woolridge said: "I find it interesting that Mr. Harvey should mention charter flights. Last year we agreed to TNT charter flights from Providence but it was having a serious effect on our other carriers.

"Our policy on charter flights is to protect our established carriers like Delta, USAir and American. You have to remember that only people who arrived on a charter can return on that plane.

"If we allowed charters we could see some carriers losing 8,000 passengers from areas where they fly now. Our established carriers have worked hard recently and we are looking for better things in the New Year. For example we could get a Detroit flight which could open up the west. We must protect the established airlines.'' Mr. Woolridge added that he could not believe Mr. Harvey and other hoteliers now claiming business would be hurt over a new St. George's cruise ship.

He said: "I have been kicked around all year and I nearly lost my portfolio over this matter.

"But the hoteliers never said a word while I was fighting to get this cruise ship here. Now all of a sudden they are complaining that it could affect business.

"I believe there are two different types of visitors, those who like to travel by plane and those who like to cruise. We had 60,000 more people in hotels than last year and air arrivals rose by 12.9 percent. Those people arriving by air would normally stay in hotels.'' The Minister said the hotel owners were "cowardly'' only to stand up and be counted after the cruise ship deal had been finalised.