executive with a major hotel chain.

Ms Ellen Lipez, vice-president of marketing with Princess Hotels International in New York, said the company had seen "significant increases'' in telephone calls and bookings since the scheme began.

The new co-operative promotion between the Bermuda Department of Tourism and large hotels deserved much of the credit, she said.

The programme aimed at increasing winter bookings began on January 1 and continues until the end of March.

Participating hotels offer guests a 20 percent discount on room rates on any day the mercury does not hit 68 Fahrenheit.

"Last year was pretty much of a disaster during the winter in Bermuda,'' Ms Lipez told The Royal Gazette . But the guaranteed weather has "generated interest and enthusiasm,'' she said.

She noted that Princess, which owns the Hamilton and Southampton Princess Hotels, had seen "significant increases,'' although she was unable to provide any figures.

"I think it's been something that people have talked about once they've come back,'' Ms Lipez said. "It's a very clever way of making people understand how seasonable Bermuda is during that time of year.'' Meanwhile, Bermuda Director of Tourism Mr. Gary Phillips said he was encouraged by recent talks with holiday wholesalers.

Bookings were up, particularly advance bookings, he said.

One company reported 868 Bermuda bookings in January, up 59 percent from the 544 bookings in the same month the previous year, and up 43 percent from January of 1991, Mr. Phillips said.

And 30 to 60-day advance bookings, which are believed to indicate consumer confidence, were up by 118 percent, to 317 from 145 last year, he said.

The wholesalers were not linking the increased bookings with the temperature guarantee, but the promotion no doubt deserved some of the credit, said Mr.

Phillips.

The temperature guarantee had generated considerable media attention overseas.

"I'm very encouraged by the reports'', he said.