There were few areas of disagreement, as Senators wanted to ensure steps were taken to provide visitors with value for their money and a safe environment in which to enjoy their holiday.

Sen. Michael Winfield (UBP) said Bermuda was the "grand dame'' of the world's tourist destinations, and had survived because it did not attempt to be all things to all people.

He said the Tourism Ministry wanted to get as close to 600,000 people visiting the Island annually as possible, adding the Island could handle that number better if visitors could be spread more throughout the year.

Sen. Winfield praised the 68 degree temperature guarantee programme developed by five major hotels and the Department of Tourism because it went a long way to dispel the misconception that Bermuda was cold in winter.

"Bermuda has set high standards,'' he said."We provide quality vacations, but one weakness is that we have not had a new hotel built in the last 20 years.

"We need more investment in hotel infrastructure if we are to maintain our competitive edge,'' said Sen. Winfiled, one of the backers of the planned Bermuda Financial Centre, which includes a new hotel. "We will need physical plants that are superior to anything else.'' Sen. Winfield said visitors had become more demanding in the last five years, and it was important that Bermuda gave the best service in order to justify its high rates.

He added that more than 1 million had been allocated, to promote Bermuda to the European market.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said he would like to end the perception that it was his party's role to always point out what was bad in whatever Government was doing.

He said the Tourism Ministry was doing well in many areas because Bermuda had high standards, a solid work ethic and readiness to take on the competition.

Sen. Lister pointed out that 567,000 tourists came to Bermuda last year, but this ten percent increase over the previous year was well below the results for 1987 and 1988.

"We should be setting our sights higher,'' he said, "aiming at increases of 12 or 13 percent. I am bothered because the Department has not given us the breakdown between tourists and those who come with international business.

"Those that come with international business are not really tourists, and this refusal could mask a true decline.'' Sen. Lister said the three percent increase in the marketing budget was too small given the challenges Bermuda faced from other destinations who were spending far more money to market themselves.

Sen. Alf Oughton (Ind) said the $60 head tax on cruise ship passengers was too much and should be reduced.

He also said there were Bermudians working in upper management in hotels overseas and that these people should be sought out and encouraged to come back home.

He praised recent moves by the Corporation of Hamilton to convert the Number Six Shed into a nightclub that featured Bermudian entertainers. He said it was something that should be encouraged because many younger guests had often complained that there was nothing to do at night.