recent article in the magazine Caribbean Tourism Today.

On the positive side, tourism was a major contributor to employment and gross domestic product, said the article by Ms Cheryl P.M. Gill in the November/December issue.

Tourism accounted for about 55 percent of Bermuda's GDP, compared to 72 percent in the Bahamas, 25 percent in the British Virgin Islands, and 23 percent in the Cayman Islands, the article said.

In Bermuda, it added, tourism accounted for 70 percent of the Island's employment, compared to just over 10 percent in St. Lucia.

Tourism also supported many other service industries, like transportation, restaurants, and leisure activities. It was estimated that for each person directly employed in the tourism industry, two others were indirectly dependent on the industry for their livelihoods.

"However, as important as tourism may be to the region's chances of prosperity, industry observers say tourism is largely a paradoxical activity in that, while it is beneficial, it also has some disadvantages,'' Ms Gill said.

Negative effects included degradation of the environment, the article said.

Another problem was "the Bellboy Syndrome'' -- local resentment at being relegated to subordinate jobs.

"An increase in crime and harassment is considered one of the most basic negative effects of the development of tourism,'' the article said.