following the violence in Florida and other tourist hot spots.

And the Island's safety record is still a major plug in the international battle to win tourists.

That is the view of the Tourism Department's director Mr. Gary Phillips.

The Island's image has taken on a fresh glow after the spate of murders of tourists in Florida -- although Mr. Phillips is keen not to highlight the contrast.

Florida tourist officials fear the attacks on foreign visitors will crack the $30 billion-a-year golden egg.

Preliminary figures show tourism has been slipping from last year with a 13 percent drop in visitors travelling by car in March.

In the latest incident, a German woman was murdered -- the seventh tourist killed in Florida since November.

Barbara Meller Jensen suffered a crushing head injury in an attack in Miami, while her mother and two young children watched.

Florida's Governor. Lawton Chiles vowed he would seek federal help in fighting the state's new reputation as a danger zone. Moments after the governor spoke, three Danish women were victims of a smash-and-grab robbery.

Mr. Phillips said Bermuda's image as a comparatively safe tourist haven was one of a number of important selling points.

He drew back from making any comparison with other destinations, including Florida.

But he added: "We are lucky we can make a legitimate case that Bermuda has a relatively low crime rate.'' Mr. Phillips said advertising promoted Bermuda's safe image, although it was not pushed more than the Island's other attributes.

The "God-given'' beauty of Bermuda's environment, topography, cleanness, and friendly people were equally plugged.

"The point is Bermuda is a relatively safe place for a family, a safe enough place for former President George Bush and ex-Prime Minister Mrs. Margaret Thatcher to come here.'' Mr. Phillips pointed out, however, Bermuda was not immune from crime.

Last year, for instance, the Country was rocked by the killing of German tourist Antje Herkommer.