Travel agents might be the Net losers as the world wide web becomes more important in booking holidays, said opposition tourism spokesman David Dodwell .

Speaking in yesterday's e-commerce debate in the House of Assembly, he said airlines were leading the way in taking direct bookings via the Internet and hotels would be wise to follow.

He said: "BA made a commitment that by the year 2000 50 percent of their business will be done on the Internet.'' Mr. Dodwell said the airline was also ending commissions for travel agents on bookings and instead was giving them a flat fee, thereby reducing profits from high fee flights.

He told the House that travel firms were changing from a booking role into a counselling and advisory role while customers were booking direct via the Net with hotels.

"Cruise lines are doing the same thing, going direct to the customer with wonderful websites with 360 degree pictures showing their dining rooms, decks or Hamilton and St. George's shorelines.'' He said: "There are diminishing jobs for the middle man.

"Travel agents will only survive if they recognise that. They can't do it alone, some are getting into consortiums to buy their own computer systems and develop their own websites.'' Mr. Dodwell said the Bermudian travel business needed to invest in marketing on the Net with state-of-the-art web sites tailored for individuals.

Thus if someone was interested in golf while his wife was keen on shopping, then web sites showing what Bermuda could offer needed to be put together.

Tourism Minister David Allen said this type of web service was already in place and that the personal touch was a big part of his department's approach.

And said: "Since April every visitor is sent a message thanking them for visiting and they will get reminder a year later inviting them back.

"We are very proactive in this way.'' He also said his Ministry was looking at a one-stop shop website where browsers could see the delights of Bermuda and then book to come.

But he warned that it would be foolish to cut out travel agents altogether.

He said: "This has serious ramifications. Well over 50 percent of our business is through travel agents. They are great ambassadors for Bermuda.

There are 600 specially trained experts on Bermuda in the USA and UK and Germany will soon get them.

"We are not about to burn bridges.'' Mr. Allen also said the Internet was an effective tool in countering negative publicity and his Ministry had used it to point out Bermuda's low crime rate after the Rebecca Middleton case had hit tourism.