Year end figures from Bermuda Club reveal sustained growth, the club's president Gobind Sahney said.

Bermuda Club is the first destination-based credit card and is backed by MBNA America Bank.

At the end of 1996, membership reached 29,000, ahead of the 27,000 target for the year.

An additional 50,000 members are projected by 2001. Membership of 79,000 will represent a projected 173,000 visitors to Bermuda, the club said.

Bermuda Club offers travel incentives and benefits encouraging US residents to make Bermuda their destination.

Over $1.5 million has been spent promoting Bermuda Club.

The club also said that at the end of 1996, about 100 firms, known as industry partners, were participants, up from 90 a year earlier and 63 in 1994.

An average of $65,000 per month is being charged on Bermuda Club VISA credit cards.

And over two million people have been solicited to become members.

The figures were included in the industry partners fourth quarter newsletter.

"The picture these results paint is certainly one of sustained growth,'' Mr.

Sahney, said in the newsletter.

"This significant, ongoing investment in programme marketing insures continued membership growth as well as steadily escalating Bermuda Club Member impact on tourism revenue,'' the club said.

"The success of Bermuda Club and consequently its impact potential on tourism and tourism revenue depend on the support of Bermuda's tourist oriented businesses, of industry partners.''