hospitality industry.

Nearly all the accommodations were represented at a landmark summit at Elbow Beach yesterday and the outcome was a new association to aid the recovery of tourism.

One hotelier who attended the forum said the result was "very, very positive''. It is expected that from now on, 95 percent of hotels will be represented by the association, forming a unified front for overseas marketing and a strong lobby on the Island.

Bermuda Hospitality Association (BHA) president Muriel Richardson said last night the meeting went very well and had gotten the blessing from all those present to go forward together.

She said: "Our main objective is to help put Bermuda's tourism back in the premium position that it enjoyed years ago.

"We have everybody on board. We have established an interim body that includes non-BHA and BHA members, working towards making a unified body a reality.'' Mrs. Richardson said the meeting had come out with 12 interim objectives to be resolved before the next gathering in two months, where the new officials will be elected. In addition, she said the group would be seeking outside funding in order to make the necessary staffing arrangements to reach their own objectives.