abandoned their weeks in Bermuda, it emerged yesterday.

The announcements came as St. George's Club developer Alistair Woolf responded to claims that members were leaving the St. George's Club because of recent fee increases.

"The annual default rate for island resorts is between three percent and eight percent, according to industry experts,'' he said.

"Less than five percent of the membership have decided to abandon their membership which is well within the industry default rate for most timeshare projects.'' Mr. Woolf's comments come in response to an article in The Royal Gazette which quoted St. George's Club member Brackett Clark saying: "The exodus from the St. George's Club is well underway''.

Mr. Clark was speaking after another member, John Vossler, claimed higher maintenance fees and a special assessment fee at the club had contributed to more than six percent of club members walking away from their weeks at the facility.

But Mr. Woolf replied: "The Press articles citing these complaints give a distorted portrait of the club in that they reflect only the personal views of a few disaffected members, and not the views of the Members' Advisory Council (MAC) or more than 95 percent of loyal members, most of whom resent the negativity, inaccuracy and harm caused to the club and Bermuda.'' Maintenance fees were increased to make sure the Club's operating costs -- which were higher in comparison to US timeshare resorts due to the Island's high costs -- were met in full.

"The increased maintenance fee is now covering all of the operating budgeted expenses, precluding the need to raise another special assessment.'' Members were charged a special assessment fee in conjunction with the increased maintenance levy. Both were approved by the Tourism Ministry.

Mr. Woolf said: "The assessment addressed the deficit which had accrued because costs exceeded members' annual fees.

"The club is financially sound now because more than 95 percent of the club members have supported the assessment and the increased maintenance fees.

"The MAC has endorsed the 1998 Club budget as the first balanced budget in the Club's history,'' said Mr. Woolf.

He also responded to the members' calls to revamp local legislation which governs timeshare operation and claims that the club's lacked proper accounting and audit procedures making it difficult for members to assess its financial position.

"Neither Government or the current developer has changed any of the rules and regulations under which the club operates.

"The dissatisfaction about the high costs of operating the club will not be resolved by changing the legislation.'' (See box) And Mr. Woolf noted that two audits by Government appointed inspectors revealed no irregularities or violations of the legislation.

"Furthermore, the Club's accounts have been audited by three other leading local firms .. . and each firm concurred that they found no irregularities, that the operating costs were properly represented and accounted for, and that the club is not mismanaged and is in compliance with the timeshare legislation.''