less-expensive hotel properties, the owners and managers of several guest houses and vacation apartments say they are "doing just fine''.

Small property owners told The Royal Gazette that business has been fair to above average this year, in contrast to large hotels, which have suffered from poor occupacnies this year.

Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen last week called for better marketing of small properties.

But Mr. Stephen Martin, manager of Pretty Penny guest house and Grape Bay Cottages told The Royal Gazette that both properties "have done well''. "I appreciate his (Mr. Allan's) comments, but I believe the larger hotels need more of a boost,'' said Mr. Martin.

"The small properties are an important part of the product mix, but they are a small part of the overall mix. It's a misconception that they are overlooked.'' Mr. Martin is also the president of Bermuda Small Properties Limited, which markets, promotes and takes reservations for 15 small properties and hotels.

He said in general, small properties have "held their own'' in the recession, and small hotels have had "a fair year'' doing as well or slightly better than the industry average.

Mr. Martin's explanation for the recession-year "boom'' for small properties was simple: "We have the correct pricing for the times, and we offer good value.'' Mrs. Karen Olson, manager of Rosemont, said she "can't complain at all'' about business this summer.

She gave most of the credit to Rosemont's participation in the Department of Tourism's "Bermuda Breaks'' advertisement scheme.

"That was the only advertising we did this year,'' said Mrs. Olson, "No trade advertising or anything.'' One man who spotted a Bermuda Breaks advertisement used his car phone to call Rosemont for a reservation -- as he sat in a traffic jam in Delaware.

"When he saw the ad, he decided he needed a break,'' said Mrs. Olson. "He did come down, and he had a wonderful time.'' Mrs. Renee Robinson of Robin's Nest said their summer business had been good thanks to repeat customers.

Although the vacation apartments' bookings have tapered off for October and November, Mrs. Robinson said they hope to benefit from a winter golf package plan arrangement with Ocean View Golf Course.

Longtail Cliffs Apartments also did "very well'' this summer, and occupancy figures are "definitely up'' from 1991.

Manager Ms Doris Werner said much of their success this year is because of Bermuda Small Properties' efforts.

"Thanks to them, we've done very well,'' she said.

Ms Werner said she believed the recession may actually be helping occupancy rates, because vacationers were being more careful with their money.

"We get a lot of families because they just can't afford the large hotels,'' said Ms Werner. "And guests are pleased they can cook their own meals in the apartments -- it's just too expensive to go out and eat.'' In addition to having above average bookings for October and November, Ms Werner reported that Longtail Cliffs is already sold out for Christmas.

Mr. David Allen MP.