reserving seats for the Island's visitors.

Bermuda Hotel Association chief executive officer Mr. John Harvey and Assistant Tourism Director Mr. Randy Horton said yesterday a section of bleacher seats on the north-eastern side of Wellington Oval will be reserved free of charge for overseas visitors during both days of Cup Match.

Cricket experts are also expected to be on hand to explain the highly-technical game.

St. George's Cricket Club president Mr. Clevie Foggo said up to 10 years ago a hospitality tent was set up by liquor merchants at Cup Match for visitors.

And while he was not sure why the practice was abandoned, he said he believed visitors preferred to watch the game with the crowds rather than watching it on televisions set up in the hospitality tent.

But Mr. Foggo said the idea of designating an area for visitors to watch the game and have it explained to them was a great one.

And it was for this reason that he agreed to bring the custom back when Mr.

Harvey approached him last year.

"The Bermuda Hotel Association and the Department of Tourism wish to thank Mr. Clevie Foggo and the St. George's Cricket Club for agreeing to reserve a section of bleacher seats for our visitors who will be greeted by hotel and Tourism staff,'' Mr. Harvey said, adding that he hoped it would become an annual feature.

Asked if he would like such a practice to become annual, Mr. Foggo said: "As long as Tourism and the Hotel Association want it. It's entirely up to them.'' Somerset Cricket Club president Mr. Erwin Bean said the club had considered reserved seating for visitors, but had not found it feasible.

"Years ago there used to be visitors' tents,'' he said. "But that was before people start buying plots. The crowds have grown so much that we are striving for as much space as possible.'' He said without seats, visitors still had a good view of the game at the Somerset ground because of its elevated level.

And he said in addition to the availability of light-hearted booklets about the game, there were many "old members who take delight in explaining the game'' to visitors.

"This sort of allows tourists to blend in,'' he said.