summit.

A number of heavyweight tour operators are flying in for talks with hoteliers and Government officials over the present state of the industry and its future direction.

It is the first time such a meeting has been held and has come after awareness of the increase in visitors from the European continent -- over 40 percent in the last decade.

Director of Bermuda Tourism Europe Ian Parker said: "This development is recognition of Europe's growing importance to Bermuda. Therefore we should nurture, develop and expand it.

"This is the first time it has been done. It was an opportunity to bring them to the Island to outline the development of Bermuda tourism in the future, and to explain about some of the things that are going on.

"It gives us a chance to enthuse about Bermuda. The market has been doing very well over the last several years and we want to increase that and make it more successful.

"We will also be able to explain what we are doing to become more aggressive and competitive in tourism.'' Each year US tour operators are brought to the Island for meetings with Tourism Ministry officials and representatives of the industry, but European travel companies mostly come on a, ad-hoc basis.

The event, which takes place from Thursday until Sunday, will involve a full day summit, where the visitors will hear of progression in Bermuda tourism.

There will also be the opportunity for them to give feedback on the product.

In addition, there will be a trade show, where hotels and attractions can meet face-to-face. And there will also a chance for the 12 delegates, from Germany, Britain Italy and Austria, to view properties not currently featured in their brochures.

The visit was the idea of the Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA), which saw the increasing need for tour operators to the east to get together with their on-Island partners to try to boost visitor numbers.

It will also give hoteliers and others a chance to understand the European market.