programme for the year 2000.

But the West End Development Corporation, which runs the ship dock and tourist attraction, says it will also strike out in other directions to bring in more business.

Wedco general manager George Smith said the Corporation wanted to lower its reliance on cruise passengers.

He was speaking after new cruise ship contracts were announced for the new millennium, bringing two ships to Dockyard, covering Tuesday to Friday.

Mr. Smith welcomed the reinstatement of an extra day, after the Horizon's final day in Bermuda was transferred from Dockyard to Hamilton this year.

But he said Wedco planned to use special events and attractions to pull in more hotel guests.

The loss of the final day of the Horizon -- traditionally when visitors do most of their shopping -- had been a great disappointment but Mr. Smith said retailers were working hard to redress the balance.

The possibility of a weekend cruise ship visit would be ideal for Dockyard, he said, as it is open nearly every day of the year and has the capacity to berth the larger ships.

"If they decide to have a cruise ship at the weekend, we would want to do it,'' he said.

Dockyard is to be visited by two ships during the 1999 season. The new Nordic Empress will berth from Tuesday to Wednesday, and Thursday to Friday will see the Pacific Princess at King's Wharf.

WEDCO WED