needs to be done.

The Visitor Industry Partnership programme which is being chaired by E.

Michael Jones is now getting into full gear to make Bermudians aware of the importance of visitors to them and to the general economy. As the programme grows and begins to have an influence, it should make us all more aware of taking good care of our visitors. That in itself should produce results because the way visitors are treated once they arrive in Bermuda is all important.

To that end, the welcome at the Airport seems to us to have greatly improved despite disruptive renovations taking place right now. Once these renovations are finished, the Airport will be first rate and able to provide the arrival ambiance we would all like. There will be a visitor welcome and even a cheering drink. First impressions are very important. The new taxi and traffic system at the Airport arrivals area should also do a great deal to relieve the hassle visitors sometimes encounter now.

There appears to be greater awareness of the need for entertainment in the hotels. To their credit many places are now moving toward some local entertainment if only a few nights a week. That should lessen the complaints that there is nothing to do. We believe that visitors look for "island entertainment'' in Bermuda and have sometimes had difficulty finding that.

There are events in Bermuda which visitors might well enjoy but which they are not encouraged to attend. We think some hotels could make a greater effort to promote to their guests the things which are available in Bermuda so that they can make a choice.

There is also a great deal of refurbishing going on in the large and small hotels and that is healthy because at the prices Bermuda charges we need first class facilities. Bermuda is the best of the islands and it needs to make it clear to visitors that it provides the best. Poor visitor arrival figures in recent years have made it hard for hotels to keep up their standards as cash returns diminished. But, sometimes a hard time causes almost anyone to make a greater effort and we see that effort taking place in areas from staff-guest relations to new conference facilities.

What can only be called the resurrection of St. George's for which Mayor Henry Hayward deserves the greatest credit will make a difference to Bermuda and especially to cultural tourism. As changes take place we should arrive at the point where no visit to Bermuda is complete unless St. George's has been included. We think the old town will become a world site not to be missed, thanks to the Corporation and its planner, Stanley Kennedy, the input by Government and the work being done by the National Trust.

It cannot have escaped anyone's attention that the Hamilton retail sector is refurbishing its Front Street stores at a great rate. It is also fair to point out that many designer goods are now on sale in Bermuda, despite importation costs, at US retail prices and that perfume is less expensive than it is in duty free shops.

Things are changing for the better.