Austria's first-ever Honorary Consul to the Island yesterday offered a hotel industry link-up between the two countries.

The news came as hotelier Leopold Kuchler and New York-based Austrian Consul General Walter Greinhart paid an official visit on new Premier Pamela Gordon.

Mr. Greinhart said: "The Premier put an emphasis on education and training for young people in her inaugural speech.

"Austria and Bermuda have one point in common -- they are tourism countries.

"We in Austria have a very sophisticated educational system and we thought we should offer an exchange of apprentices in the field of tourism.

"Ms Gordon welcomed it with great delight and said she would support it.'' Mr. Greinhart added that Austria already has a successful exchange scheme operating between Austria and the state of Maine in the US.

Mr. Kuchler -- who is married to a Bermudian -- assumed his new role as his country's man in Bermuda exactly 25 years after arriving on the Island.

He said: "What is most important to begin excellent relations between the two countries is to establish cultural, educational and perhaps humanitarian links.

"That will be a very good beginning and a very healthy start, good for the future of Austria and Bermuda alike.'' Mr. Kuchler said there are around 200 Austrians living in Bermuda, on work permits and married to Bermudians.

He said his main job was to represent the interests of his country's nationals if they hit trouble.

Mr. Kuchler explained: "If someone loses their passport, loses their money or has some kind of problem with Government departments or needs legal or health assistance I will assist.'' Mr. Greinhart said that a Consul needed to be a highly-respected individual in the host country and with good contacts.