remain at the top in an increasingly competitive tourism industry, a top US travel wholesaler said yesterday.

Mr. Steve Belkin, whose company Trans National Travel/Haley is the second biggest seller of holiday packages to the Island, said Caribbean islands were now advertising far more on TV than Bermuda.

"Bermuda could do more to market and promote itself,'' he said.

"And TV is extremely effective compared to the print media. Bermuda does do a little television advertising but it could do more. This is the feedback we are getting from our different sales representatives in the field'' Mr.

Belkin, founder of TNT and chairman of the board, further suggested a joint marketing programme between Bermuda Tourism and large travel companies such as his.

"We'd like to work more with Bermuda,'' he said. The Caribbean was becoming more competitive with direct flights now offered between the US East Coast and the islands -- and the fact it remained cheaper than Bermuda.

"Before you had to fly to San Juan and change planes. Now you can fly directly say from Boston to St. Martin,'' he pointed out.

But Mr. Belkin assured that despite its low profile among TNT buyers, Bermuda still has what it takes to be a top holiday destination.

He said: "It's only one to two hours away from major US East Coast cities; the people are extremely friendly; it's very clean and crime is extremely low compared to other countries where tourists go.'' It was for those reasons that Mr. Belkin decided to say thank you to his staff on TNT's 20th anniversary by flying 400 of them and other personal guests to Bermuda for the day.

They flew in early yesterday morning on two of TNT's Leisure Air jets and were quickly transported to the Elbow Beach Hotel for a day of fun.

The line-up of beach activities included volleyball, tug o' wars, swizzles, lunch at Cafe Lido -- a special tent had to be put up to accommodate them, limbo contests and more.

The TNT employees left the Island last night around 7 p.m. And many were first-time visitors who said they couldn't wait to return with their families and friends.

"I was very impressed with how clean and well-kept it was on the ride form the Airport,'' account manager Mr. Steve Pianowski said. "It was absolutely beautiful. And we were treated like human beings -- not like in Jamaica and Mexico where they want to grab the money out of your pockets.'' TNT accountant Ms Sandy Silva said: "I'd like to stay another week. Elbow (Beach Hotel) was as beautiful as I had heard.''