Young Bermudians could find themselves a top job and a new home into the bargain under a Government plan.

Hotel developers coming to the Island may have to provide accommodation to their new employees as part of concessions provided to them under new laws recently passed -- helping to provide incentives to staff and also minimising the pressure on an already tight accommodation market.

Tourism Minister David Allen said the planned Rosewood Hotel at Castle Harbour had already promised not only to keep the existing staff dormitories, but to upgrade them for its local and overseas employees.

Other applicants under the new Hotels Concession Act may also have to build accommodations, not just for guests, but for staff.

"We are requiring that they provide for housing for employees, '' he said.

"Castle Harbour always had dormitories, and they (Rosewood) have made a commitment to us that they will be keeping those and upgrading.

"We want to minimise the strain on the existing housing stock, it is no secret there is demand locally for housing.

"We have a lot of young Bermudians living with family, if they can get a job with Rosewood, and also get their own digs down there. Sometimes you get young people not in the most productive home situation, they can get out on their own, say "hey I am getting the training and my own digs''.

The Minister said he will require new major hotel investors to make provisions within their plans.

"We will be insisting on that, particularly major hotels, so there is minimum impact on the local housing stock, and we will be flexible on this, depending on size of property.'' Director of Tourism Richard Calderon believes the plan will attract young Bermudians into the industry once again -- allowing them to see the benefits of a whole package -- training, a job and accommodation all in one.

And it is likely to be financially attractive to staff -- paying a nominal rent, for example of around $30 a week, in return for their home.

"Why not use this as an attraction to get young people into the industry? he said.

The Minister also revealed that two formal applications and one show of interest had already been received under the new act -- all from existing hotels.

Each application will first go to the Tourism Ministry, who will take it to the Cabinet Committee for Hotel Development, and subsequently to the Cabinet for approval. Finally, each order goes before Parliament, before being signed into law.

And there was some good news for some of the hotel re-developments already underway. The Minister indicated that those already being built and not yet open, will have a good case for applying for a range of benefits under the new act.

Although the act is meant to drive new tourism development, the Government doesn't want to see a huge increase in numbers. An unofficial ceiling of 100,000 more visitors has been set, but the aim is to have a manageable amount of visitors spending more money on an improved tourism product.

"Bermuda cannot accommodate unlimited numbers of tourists, we don't want to get like Bahamas, because we would destroy the very thing that makes it attractive,'' he said.

"You don't want to flood the Island with people, however, Bermudian aspirations are growing, you have to have maximum yield for the limit. Most people would say another 100,000 visitors, that's where we should be.'' Mr. Calderon added: "There is very little room for movement on is the rates....this is designed to bring the product up to the level of the rate.'' David Allen