Bermuda Tourism officials acknowledged that this week's first Canadian roadshow will have to be just the beginning of a sustained push for the country's tourists.

Tourism Minister David Allen and hotel managers believe that Bermuda will have to raise its profile considerably if it is to stabilise and redress falling visitor numbers. As the first day of the Canadian revitalisation tour kicked off in Toronto, Mr. Allen spelled out the task at hand and identified some of the problems the Island has faced.

He said: "It is no secret that Bermuda has experienced some difficult times from Canada over the last two or three years.

"The weak Canadian dollar has made Bermuda very expensive, then of course we had the negative publicity from the Middleton tragedy. That now has to be put into perspective.'' He said the Canadian dollar issue was one of the most difficult things to deal with, but said a $50 credit offer for meetings held on Island was one way of attracting groups. Numbers from Canada hover at the 33,000 mark. They have remained almost static for the last ten years, and the last few years have seen almost monthly declines in figures.

Most visitors come from the Toronto area, using the daily flight from that city. Mr. Allen said Canadian tourists were most loyal, similar to valued guests from New England. But he added they were hoping events such as the roadshow would lead to a gradual build up of numbers. Last night, more than 400 travel and tour operators packed into the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, to experience Bermudian entertainment, food and drink, as well as speeches by the Minister and other tourism officials. Agents also met with hoteliers from more than 20 Island accommodations.