The tourism industry needs "mouth to mouth resuscitation'' to survive, according to Tourism Minister David Allen.

And the Island needs a five-star hotel if it is to attract business conventions and conferences back to the Island.

He told Hamilton Lions Club on Wednesday that Bermuda's tourism industry has been in steady decline for the last 20 years.

This was due mostly to the negligence of the previous Government that was more concerned about international business, he charged.

"Tourism is the number one supporter of jobs to Bermuda,'' he said. "Not one person is not dependent on tourism.'' Since international business plays a big role in the Island's economy, it is necessary to bring companies from around the world to the Island for meetings and conference, he said, adding that the conference sector has been in decline.

"Some international businesses are starting to hold their business meetings and conferences in other locations because we don't have any five-star hotels,'' he said.

"We have several excellent resorts and hotels but we would be fools to say that they are all in perfect condition.'' He went on to say that there is not one man, woman or child that is not affected by tourism and that cannot help to take a firm hold of the Islands once biggest industry.

He said that although Government had to play an important role, they could not be "sugar daddies'' and pay for everything. It was important that everyone got involved from retailers to private citizens.

"Every person living in Bermuda needs to be friendly to tourists,'' he said.

He told the story of a young girl to whom he recently gave an award.

"When a tourist asked her directions, she didn't just point out the way, she actually took them to where they wanted to go,'' he said. "And along the way she pointed out sights and told them stories that she had heard from her grandmother.'' The tourism industry also faces a crisis due to the declining number of hotel beds.

In previous years, Bermuda had more than 9,000 beds but with the closure of hotels, there are just 6,400 now.

"We are losing the critical muscle of the tourism industry,'' he said. "We don't have one major hotel in Bermuda.

"These hotels have a worldwide marketing base and they are not driving business here. They are driving it away.

"And as a result, we have a lesser presence in the market.'' He said countries like Bahamas and Puerto Rico have been creating new opportunities for investors while Bermuda remained dead in the water.

Mr. Allen also defended his heavy travel schedule, saying he considered himself the "Chief National Salesperson'' for the Island. The reason for his recent marketing blitzes was because there had not been a "Bermuda Roadshow'' to the United States in years. Nor had much marketing been done in Canada.

He went on to say that European business accounted for ten percent of Bermuda's air arrivals, but they tended to stay twice as long as North Americans.

His goal was to get the North Americans to first come to the Island and second stay longer.

But he added: "If we don't live up to our advertising then it's all for nothing.'' And he said Bermudians needed to believe in the tourism product and getting out and selling the Island's services.

"When they (tourists) see our Bermudian spirit it sends a message that Bermuda is a different and exciting place to visit.'' Mr. Allen also spoke of two new initiatives that are currently being negotiated to help boost the Island hospitality industry.