THE NEW Democratic Labour Party Government will propel this country's tourism product to new heights, Member of Parliament for the City of Bridgetown, Patrick Todd, promised yesterday.

And this will be done first and foremost, by increasing the number of rooms available to visitors.

Todd, a first-time MP, made the statement in the House of Assembly yesterday while supporting a resolution to approve the vesting of parcels of land at Harrison's, St Lucy, to the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc.

"We are not just about talking," Todd told the Lower House. "The previous Barbados Labour Party administration never improved the rooms stock,but we will ensure there is a proper mix and balance available."

He noted the DLP's tourism master plan first mentioned in the party's election manifesto was still being devised, but extra rooms were a must, mainly because of the increased airlift of visitors to Barbados.

"We are committed to this, but we will not accept lock, stock and barrel the proposals made for tourism by the previous administration," Todd said.

Todd said he would also encourage Government to make it mandatory that overseas investors provide environmental research before condos or villas are constructed, so no damage would be done to areas near cliffs or beaches around the island.(BA)