so far disappointing season.

The travel agent bonus scheme reeled in over 3,500 people during July to August -- and with September's results not yet in the programme could be one of the most successful ever.

As many as 4,000 people may have been brought to the Island when the returns are collated from travel agents -- translating into Government revenue of up to $340,000 and more for tourism businesses.

The success of the scheme has brought some cheer to a year which has seen air arrivals down for the first half, compared to 1999, and bed nights lower than last year.

Air arrivals are 6.31 percent down on last year, which was the lowest in the last 20 years. And bed nights sold by hotels fell in every month bar January.

It is difficult to tell whether the people attracted by the special offer would have come to the Island anyway, but Tourism Minister David Allen heralded the scheme as a hit.

He said: "This is one of the largest responses Bermuda has ever received from the travel agent community as a result of a department... promotion.'' Under the scheme, travel agents are given a $25 bonus for each booking made for July to September -- and the visitor benefitted from extras such as free days or cash credits.

During the period of the programme, hotel occupancy rates hit 80 percent and July had 83 percent rate, the highest in the last 13 years, said Mr. Allen.

However, it should be pointed out the high occupancies come when the Island has around 1,000 less hotel beds -- due to the closure of the Marriott Castle Harbour, Belmont and revamping of the Palmetto hotel.