Bermuda needs to "crank up'' its public relations machine, says one of America's top motivational speakers.

Zig Ziglar, who with his wife Jean spent last week on the Island celebrating their 50th anniversary, stressed they were just as impressed with their third visit as they were with their first.

Appearing relaxed in their hotel room at the Southampton Princess an hour before they were scheduled to leave the Island Friday, the Ziglars said: "We've been just about everywhere around the world and we decided to spend our 50th anniversary here because we love Bermuda.'' "We're from the Old South where graciousness, hospitality, and looking out for your fellow man was the norm,'' Mr. Ziglar added. "Here we've been treated to the same kind of graciousness and hospitality.'' The author of such best sellers as Top Performer, Secrets of Closing the Sale, and See You at the Top, said the visit was purely for relaxation.

The couple spent their time touring and playing golf at the Southampton Princess which Mr. Ziglar jokingly said he chose because the golf course which is ideal for novices like his wife, whom he affectionately refers to as "the Redhead''.

Having spoken at thousands of motivational seminars and developed his "I Can'' course which helps students in more than 3,000 schools across the US to build character and self-esteem, Mr. Ziglar said he planned to reduce his speaking engagements by 50 percent and concentrate on writing.

In fact, the author of 11 best sellers, is working on three books which are scheduled to be released next year. One -- to be called Zig Ziglar's Encouraging Words -- will be a compilation of his newspaper columns, another will be on relationships in general, and the other -- Claiming God's Promises, Embracing My Responsibilities -- will be a spiritually motivating publication.

"I have at least five more books to write,'' he said.

Mr. Ziglar also plans to launch a syndicated radio programme.

"I'm shifting gears,'' he said when asked about retirement. "I'm having more fun than ever.'' Mr. Ziglar credited much of his success, including in marriage, to his faith in God.

Asked how they have been able to remain happily married for so many years, Mrs. Ziglar said: "Commitment and a lot of hard work; give and take and understanding.'' She also pointed out that faith and trust played a major role.

Mr. Ziglar said it was also important for couples to show each other mutual respect and to hug regularly.

"My wife hugs everything that moves,'' he quipped. "And things which don't move she dusts off and sells.'' While admitting that he believed there was more division in the world today than ever before, the eternal optimist said: "I'm seeing more people realising that money is not everything and that character and values is more important.

"The media, mainly television, seems to have abandoned some of the values and that's disturbing.'' However, he noted that there were many positive events taking place unbeknown to many.

For example, Mr. Ziglar said, some 19,000 people attended a Success '96 seminar in Dallas where the speakers included former US president George Bush and his wife Barbara, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, and baseball legend Nolan Ryan.

"The Dallas Morning News spent 15 words on that seminar,'' he noted. "Now had there been any protesters there or anything, that would have gotten coverage.

"That's one of the reasons newspaper circulation has been on the decline in the US.'' The Success '96 seminars, which bring in celebrities to attract crowds and motivational speakers to "feed'' the crowds, were sold out across the US because people no longer wanted to be subjected to profanity, stress, and racist and sexist remarks, he added. They wanted to hear about family, faith, and values.

Bermuda is also a positive experience, the Ziglars said. Giving three examples, Mr. Ziglar noted that during their stay in Bermuda they were assisted by total strangers.

On one occasion, he recalled, they were looking for a place which served traditional Bermuda fish chowder and a woman took time out of her busy schedule to carefully select a "perfect' place.

And the Ziglars pointed to a fresh bouquet of flowers in their room which was sent to them as an anniversary present by members of the First Baptist Church in Devonshire which they visited for the first time last Sunday.

"Bermuda is as wonderful as ever,'' Mr. Ziglar said. "Bermuda just needs to crank up their PR machines.'' "And don't change what you're doing,'' Mrs. Ziglar added.

THE WAY IT IS -- American motivational speaker Zig Ziglar and his wife, Jean, chose Bermuda for their 50th anniversary vacation destination.