Bermuda tourism may be facing yet another visitor slump this year, but the man who will run the Island's newest hotel is confident the current boom in international business will make his property a big success.

The Wharf Executive Hotel, which officially opens next Wednesday will - with the exception of the failed tented Daniel's Head eco-resort - be the first hotel to start up in Bermuda since Stonington Beach in 1980.

The Wharf will be targeted at business travellers, and manager Marcus Jones said yesterday he is confident there are enough of them out there to keep the 15 suite property on Harbour Road, Paget, packed.

"With all the new business coming to Bermuda, especially reinsurance and banking clients, there is more than enough business to keep this hotel very busy," he told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

The hotel, part of Bermuda Resort Hotels, which includes the Harmony Club and Surf Side Beach Club, will provide travellers with their own kitchen, high-speed internet access, office facilities, 24 hour concierge service, and a waterfront location at Darrell's Wharf ferry stop.

For Mr. Jones, a Bermudian who recently returned from working in Canada, the new job is a dream appointment.

"I'm ecstatic. I think it is a great opportunity and (Bermuda Resorts Hotel chief executive) Naval Mehra has done a fantastic job in having the vision to put this in place, and it is great to be part of this," added Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones, 37, worked at Pompano Beach Club ten years ago and became executive assistant manager, before moving to Elbow Beach in 1997, where he was financial controller.

In 1998, he moved to Canada where he was financial controller at a Novotel Hotel in downtown, Toronto, used heavily by business travellers. He returned to Bermuda in 2000 to work as a senior accountant with Capital G.

He said yesterday: "We catered for a lot of business travellers in downtown Toronto, so I think I bring to the table experience in that field."

Room rates start at $210 a night for single executive suites and $225 for doubles for the summer. One bedroom suites cost $375 and $395 for summer.