expect to regain the glory days of 1980.

The Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge was accused of being too pessimistic about the Island's tourism prospects.

The criticism came from Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen in the House of Assembly yesterday.

And he urged Government to combat the impression Bermuda did not offer value for money.

Mr. Allen also called for tourism awareness programmes at schools, better training and retraining schemes, and tax incentives for hotels to stay open through the winter.

In addition, he pledged a PLP Government would try to lure weekend cruise ships here.

The two MPs crossed swords during the Budget debate on tourism.

In a two hour 18 minute speech, Mr. Woolridge strongly defended Government's tourism policies, without making any new announcements.

And he predicted Bermuda's tourism blues would lift this year as the US economy emerged from recession.

Mr. Woolridge, however, warned people against expecting a return to the "glory days'' of 1980.

It was important to concentrate on filling hotel rooms, and continually rethink marketing policies.

Last year saw a 1.7 percent drop in visitor numbers, a significant achievement given a poor start, said Mr. Woolridge.

This year, from January 1-February 21, there had been a five percent rise, proving the success of the 68 degree temperature guarantee scheme.

On airlines, Mr. Woolridge said in 1992 Bermuda benefited from 13 flights out of 10 gateway cities.

United Airlines had withdrawn its Dulles route, but this had been replaced by two charter services.

And although Bermuda had lost its Charlotte schedule, it had an extra flight from Boston, bringing the total from that city to three.

Continental had also rearranged its schedule, bringing in morning and evening flights, said Mr. Woolridge.

In addition, British Airways had increased its services, making it easier to get to Bermuda with an extra flight from Gatwick in April.

He went on to dismiss fears American Airlines, hit by revenue losses last year, would be cutting its services.

Mr. Woolridge also defended Government's restrictive policy on charter flights.

He pointed out Bermuda had been asked to compensate for any European charter flight seats not sold.

"It was just not viable,'' he said.

On cruise ships, Mr. Woolridge said Bermuda benefited from four quality vessels.

The two being replaced this year would mean a capacity for another 28,000 passengers.

The number of cruise ship passengers last year rose by 2.2 percent, underlining the effectiveness of Government policy.

Spending per capita for cruise passengers had also gone up from $194 to $245.

Mr. Woolridge ruled out weekend cruise ships, saying they would not be viable.

But he went on to reaffirm Government's commitment to a fifth cruise ship in 1994.

"It will be good news for the people of St. George's,'' he stressed.

Mr. Woolridge said the Tourism Department would be looking into tapping markets in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and certain parts of Italy which enjoyed a high standard of living.

The move would be helped by the $500,000 Budget windfall specially earmarked for promoting tourism in Europe.

Mr. Woolridge said Japan's potential was also recognised, although it was extremely expensive to market.

A 30-second commercial on Japanese television costs $350,000 -- compared with $75,000 in the United States, he stressed.

"We are investigating reaching the Japanese community in the US,'' he added.

Mr. Woolridge accepted hotel occupancy levels had failed to increase because of the recession.

But he pledged there were ongoing efforts to reopen the Club Med and the Bermudiana.

Mr. Woolridge praised Bermuda's cultural tourism, highlighting such events as the Bermuda Festival, and the Beating of the Retreat.

Mr. Allen opened by lashing Government's tourism record.

He said there had been a general decline since 1980, with a loss of around 22 percent of staying visitors.

And 1992 was the fifth consecutive year of decline in arrivals.

The problems had been brought on by mismanagement and lack of foresight, said Mr. Allen.

"You can't blame everything on the recession.'' Mr. Allen also chided Mr. Woolridge for being too pessimistic about Bermuda's prospects, saying it was possible to regain the glory days.

But there was a need to diversify, and use the recession for a period of self-examination.

"Out of the hottest fire comes the best steel,'' said Mr. Allen.

Mr. Allen said a PLP Government would waste no time in bringing in tourism awareness sessions at school, beginning with primary level youngsters.

Mr. Allen welcomed some Budget measures, including rolling back diesel fuel charges for hotels, which he said the PLP had long been advocating.

But he called on Government to go further with tax rebates and incentives for hotels.

Mr. Allen urged Government to investigate why certain airlines had dropped small Bermudian properties from their tour brochures.

He had been told Air Canada had left out Bermuda because the Island was not part of its marketing consortia.

Government should implore airlines not to deprive Bermuda's small properties of exposure.

Mr. Allen went on to appeal for a weekend cruise ship, saying it was supported by taxi drivers.

The possibility of a seasonal airport head tax should also be explored, he added.

Mr. Allen also called for Government to review a cutback in hours at the airport's visitor information office.

The office now operated from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., because of cash constraints.

This meant people on flights after 5 p.m. were deprived of help. This was scandalous.

Mr. Allen also criticised the `signage' at the airport, and the plan to halve the size of the visitor information desk and site it next to the men's latrine.

Mr. Allen criticised cuts to the advertising budget, which diminished Bermuda's buying power.

He said the advertising budget should be expanded to promote St. George's as a self-contained destination. The Old Towne needed more help from the Tourism Department, he said.

Also on the issue of advertising, Mr. Allen said it was high time advertisements were allowed inside the airport. Even Moscow airport allowed advertising in its arrivals and departure halls, he pointed out.

The suggestion was quickly knocked by Mr. Woolridge who shouted from his chair: "We will not have neon signs in the airport''.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, 1993 994 ESTIMATES Ministry responsibility: "To promote and control the Tourist industry for the benefit of Bermuda.'' Budget estimate $28,300,000 (last year $28,474,000) Budget allocations Administration $1,061,000 Marketing $16,341,000 Sales $8,492,000 Activities $2,010,000 Management Information $396,000.