Next week is Tourism Awareness Week, a time when people who work in the industry take part in fun activities and are honoured for their accomplishments and or expertise in making Bermuda's visitors feel right at home. This is the eighth year that such an event has taken place and according to organiser Suzanne DeCouto "it just keeps growing, especially in the west end.'' She added: "Tourism Awareness Week is our effort -- the Hospitality Professionals Association -- to show how important tourism is to all of us.'' The kick-off event for Tourism Awareness Week will be `A Walk Together' which will be held on Sunday, March 22. "The 5K walk was organised to show visitors our Bermudian hospitality. Walkers are encouraged to `adopt a visitor' -- to walk with and that way they will have things explained to them along the way, such as where they are walking and things about the Island,'' Mrs. DeCouto said. She added that registration for the walk will take place in the Gazebo across from the entrance to the Victualling Yard from 12 p.m. to 1.15 p.m.

Registration is $10 and it includes a T-shirt, goodie bag and chances to win great prizes. The walk begins at 1.30 p.m. "During this time you may also enjoy lunch activities around Dockyard and other activities taking place in the Dockyard Arts Centre, Craft Market and the Frog and Onion.'' Mrs. DeCouto also said from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. the bartenders' competition will be held in the Victualling Yard. "Come and sample the unique creations created by Bermuda's bartenders who will vie for the best bartender award. The only known ingredient in all drinks is Goslings Black Seal Rum -- `the rum of Bermuda','' Mrs. DeCouto said. Local chefs will compete, from 3 p.m. to 3.15 p.m., to see who can chop an onion the fastest. This event was organised by the Bermuda Chefs Association and will also take place in the Victualling yard. The most humorous event is the Hotel Olympics which sees representatives of many of the Island's hotels struggling to make a bed within seconds. "Participants in this competition, which also involves wine serving, napkin folding and a luggage rally to name a few -- they will battle to see who can do it the best and the fastest. This will take place from 3.15 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. with an awards ceremony for all winners of each event taking place at 4 p.m.,'' Mrs.

DeCouto said. She added that on Wednesday, March 25, the events move down to the east end for `meet the author, meet the artist' where members of the public can meet local author David Raine and well-known watercolour artist Jill Amos Raine in St. George's Town Hall. They will sign and personalise your choice of books and prints. "At 12 p.m. people can enjoy the popular `Flavours of Bermuda' contest with `soup glorious soup' at the White Horse Tavern. Come and help us to choose St. George's most delicious concoction prepared by East End chefs,'' Mrs. DeCouto said. Locals and visitors will enjoy the traditional ceremony of `Duck the Nagging Wench' which is "re-enacted at fair weather or foul. As always the week will culminate with a `Hotelier of the Year' black tie banquet at Mid Ocean on Saturday, March 28.

"We will be awarding the Hotelier of the Year, Hospitality Person of the Year (sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda) and our first annual Bermuda Sunshine Awardee,'' Mrs. DeCouto said. Tickets for this night can be obtained from David Kenny at 236-3500.

Also during the week there will be: Spotlights: Each day of Tourism Awareness week individuals in the industry, that are an individual to all of us will be highlighted.

School Ad Competition: Individual school children will compete by producing an ad theme on visiting families enjoying Bermuda. Winning entries will be displayed in the children's department of AS Coopers as well as being featured in the Bermuda Department of Tourism's Family Guide Brochure.

Those interested in taking part the bartender's competition or the Hotel Olympics can contact Suzanne DeCouto at 232-1847, chefs interested in taking part in the chef' competition can contact Fred Ming at 236-9000 or Chris Malpas at 295-1111.

WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR? -- Last year hotel employees took part in the annual Hotel Olympics. One of the events was to see who was the best and fastest wine server. Pictured is Gianni Iacoviello of Horizons (left) and Michael Thompson of Stonington Beach Hotel (right) who took part in the wine serving competition. The Reefs won last year's Hotel Olympics.