Hotel bosses have given a thumbs up to their headline-grabbing tourism roadshow to the US.

General managers and owners of accommodations representing over 90 percent of the Island's beds last night completed a hectic schedule across four cities and thousands of miles down the east coast.

And as the tour drew to a close in Atlanta they heralded it as a great success, putting Bermuda back in the forefront of the US travel market.

The presence of top officials from such hotels as Stonington, Sonesta, Hamilton Princess, Grotto Bay and Canadian Pacific, coupled with the backing of the Premier and Tourism Minister, clearly impressed travel agents and US media.

The interest surprised Department of Tourism officials and exceeded all expectations. And media coverage was high, with radio, TV and newspapers all jostling for a piece of the Island.

Esan Frederick of Stonington, said: "There have been 800 to 1000 travel agents in four cities and it is significant that the Premier has been here.

With the change of Government she has brought out more people.'' Michael Kaile, head of the CP Hamilton Princess, said the high profile list of who's who in Bermuda tourism showed a strong commitment to getting the business back on its feet.

"It is the right thing to do, to go to your feeder markets,'' he said, adding there would also be a need to attract specialist travel agents to think about Bermuda.' New holiday packages, featuring eco-tours, adventure sports and heritage are expected to appeal to upscale consumers looking for something different for their annual break.

And travel agents themselves said the roadshow was long overdue and Bermuda had been far too quiet for far too long.

David Irving, of Gibson World Travel in Philadelphia, said the trip was proactive and important -getting straight to the US agents who can really make a difference to Bermuda's rebirth.

He said the new packages would really make the difference and should put Bermuda amongst the leaders.

The fact that the entreprenuer behind the Daniel's Head eco-resort had invested in the Island was testament to the future it had.

"I love Bermuda,'' he said. "It is expensive, but I believe you have to pay for quality.'' A veteran of many promotions to the US, Cyril Cooper of Rosemont, said the event was just the kind of upbeat fanfare the Island needed.

He said every travel destination in the world was now fighting for the same thing and it was vital that Bermuda flexed its marketing muscle in the marketplace.

But he said the high cost of airfares would need to be addressed sooner or later: "The real problem is the airfare. The airlines just won't give. They are not interested in talking.''