cynicism crippling the debate over the state of tourism and pull together as a nation.

"We've all read the headlines and heard from the cynics. Tourism in crisis, tourism is crumbling. It's time we step back, pause, and put the negativity behind us,'' he told the weekly business lunch of the Hamilton Lions Club.

Speaking largely off the cuff Mr. Dodwell refused to characterise tourism in such fitful terms.

"I take the view that tourism is in transition; we're undergoing change along with the rest of the global industry. That's just the way it is. "It isn't sudden; it hasn't happened overnight. And we, all of us as a country, not just Government or the Ministry or the unions, have been asleep at the switch. But casting blame doesn't help us now,'' he said.

Pointing out Bermudians still enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world, Mr. Dodwell asked the Lions, "just how bad is bad?'' Moving beyond the image painted by negative rhetoric, exit surveys of visitors offer a different view.

Ninety-eight percent of visitors leaving the Island strongly believe it's a nice place to rest and relax; 96 percent said they felt welcome; 93 percent said they'd recommmend Bermuda to friends, said Mr. Dodwell.

"It's time to highlight and coordinate our positives and focus on how all Bermudians can contribute.'' And Mr. Dodwell defended his ministry and marketing strategies.

"Tourism with a budget of $31 million, generates over $480 million in foreign exchange,'' he said.

Criticism of current marketing strategies are also unfair. Results don't happen overnight and the current campaign has certainly put the Island in the international spotlight, he added.

Tourism's saucy new "Let Yourself Go'' ad campaign was recently featured in USA Today under the headline "Bermuda turns up the heat. Staid British island promotes sex appeal to lure young tourists.'' Meanwhile promotions such as Jazzscape, the Merrill Lynch Shoot-out, and the newly-announced Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic take a few years to make an impact he said, pointing as well to recent private sector initiatives such as the newly-opened Dolphin Quest at the Southampton Princess.

"We've had enough studies and reports, now it's time to get together and make tourism our national agenda. We all, the community, the public and private sectors, have to work together on this,'' he said.