Bermuda, according to the Minister of Tourism.

Hotel managers have been left scratching their heads over the biggest increase in visitors by plane in a year -- although it has had little effect on their occupancy levels.

But the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge believes the answer is obvious, he says airline discounts and great weather are attracting tourists.

Visitor arrivals at the airport over the weekend rose by 2,808 compared to the previous weekend, with 10,133 people arriving on the Island. The change on the corresponding week last year was 1,480 people or 17.1 percent.

And adding that to the past month's figures it means a 3.8 percent rise on the corresponding period in 1991 -- more than doubling the previous highest figures this year.

Mermaid Beach Hotel controller Mr. Mike Chase said: "It is a complete mystery to me why there has been a sudden increase in visitors. Anyone who has been able to predict what has happened in the tourist trade this year deserves a gold star.

"It has been a decent weekend here and we are probably heading for 80 percent occupancy. It will probably be a last big shebang for the season looking at the current projections.

"It is welcome because it has put us above budget for the month, but it is indeed a mystery.'' Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort has seen an increase in visitors but manager Mr. Roger Borsink says that is explained by business conferences.

Mr. Borsink said: "It is busier. A lot of people we have here are on group business trips. Most of the summer holidays are over now.'' At the Pink Beach Club and Cottages, manager Mr. Barry Marquardt reported that September this year has so far been on a par with 1991, with over 70 percent occupancy.

But he said there had not been a marked rise in bookings this weekend.

Throughout the year the hotel has found that weekend bookings would be good but then bookings would fall off in midweek.

Mr. Marquardt said: "This weekend is the Jewish New Year holiday so we would expect a busy weekend with visitors from the United States. That may be the reason for last weekend's increase, with people arriving early.''