Hotels and Government have linked up with Delta Airlines to offer free flights out of Boston for two to help reverse flagging winter arrival figures.

And the offer may be extended to other east coast gateways as Tourism and Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA) will be in talks this weekend with airlines which are offering further discounts.

BHA President Norman Mastalir said the deals were in response to ferocious discounting this winter from the Caribbean and poor winter arrivals.

The new deal applies when two people book for a minimum of five nights between January 10 and March 31 at selected hotels.

Delta is offering $215 flights to Bermuda, and Government and the hotels are buying these tickets, plus cheap room nights are being offered.

Mr. Mastalir, the managing director of the Fairmont Southampton, told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the promotion has already caused an acceleration in bookings from the Boston area.

And there was a chance it could be extended to other gateway destinations if the fares offered are low enough, he said.

"It became clear to us shortly before Christmas that the Caribbean was discounting in high season more significantly than ever before and they have really turned up the heat on the competition this winter, and that Complements of Bermuda was not strong enough to deal with that," said Mr. Mastalir.

"We went to the airlines and asked if we could secure more reasonable fares. The airlines have improved this through significant seat sales, and between the private sector and Government, we've been able to sponsor free air fares out of Boston for two people.

"We've seen a significant increase in the pace of booking. This week it has tripled. We're not talking enormous numbers, but the pace has picked way up and that's an important indicator.

"We're pretty optimistic that it is going to be an offer which is big enough to drive some numbers through winter because the competition has been fierce and we have to respond to what is going on in the marketplace."