industry staff as merchants geared up for what could be their most successful season yet.

With three extra shops and a number of new attractions added to the Clocktower Retail Centre, the two-day extravaganza invited local media, those at social desks, hotels, tour guides, guest house managers and Tourism Department representatives to play "tourist for the day at the Dockyard''.

WEDCO's assistant manager of development, Mrs. Marcille Haynes said the idea was to show off the mall's recent renovations and added attractions to invited guests.

"We decided to have a travel trade for people directly linked with tourists who never really get the opportunity to see the premises,'' she said.

"It's also the first visit of the Meridian , so the tourists are in for something special as well.'' New this season are three stores in the Clocktower Centre -- Bermuda Railway Co., Uncommon Sense fine jewellers and restaurant La Brioche -- and the Frog and Onion Pub, Club 21 Jazz club, the Morning Light Gallery, the Sky-Rider operation, a charter yacht, Golden Rule .

Mrs. Haynes said approximately 18 industry-related persons turned out for yesterday's activities and it was hoped 25 would attend today.

In addition to the new sights, the crowd of guests, locals and tourists, was entertained by a fashion show and a visiting concert band combining students from Central Huron Secondary in Clinton, Ontario and Northlands Secondary School.

"So far, most of those who have come think (Dockyard) is a very quaint, well-maintained place -- a piece of Bermudian history which they find very exciting and are very enthusiastic about. They were very impressed with the surroundings they don't normally get to see. They seemed quite surprised by the activity and atmosphere. It's unlike Hamilton where the pace is so rushed.'' Mrs. Darlene Symonds of Symonds & Symonds Video Production Co. agreed:"Last year when everyone else was having problems, (Clocktower) sales were above those of other areas. They can take a half-hour ferry ride and make a day out of the trip because there are so many points of interest here.'' Victoriana manager Mrs. Marjorie Monks said: "It looks like we're going to exceed last year. People didn't have that confidence when we began but we're actually getting repeat business now.'' Mr. Percival Ratteray of Ratteray's Wines & Spirits said business had improved since his shop first opened. And as chairman of the Centre's Retail Tenants Association, he said the group is working on added activities to those WEDCO promotes.

Mrs. Delight Goodfellow, manager of The Admiral's Locker, said approximately 9,000 visitors entered her store per month last summer.

"A lot more locals are now coming,'' she said. "I've been working (at Dockyard) for seven years and many tourists come back and say how fantastic everything is now.'' And supervisor of Carole Holding paint and craft shop, Mrs. Cheryl Adcock said: "It's slower now than in the summer but sales are picking up. Our customers are mainly tourists but we do have a reasonable amount of locals.'' Most tourists in attendance said they were very impressed with the Centre.

"We would think the big draw is the natural stone buildings,'' said Carl and Greta Russell of Massachusetts.

"It's lovely how everything is under one roof,'' said Matt and Cheryl Egan of Illinois. "It's nice and compact. We can shop without having to stop for the next store every 300 yards.'' Mr. John Pettitt of Canada said: "I suppose there's much to choose from. My wife is spending a lot of time shopping (in the Centre).'' "It's very interesting,'' said Betty and Bruce McLeod of Canada, "We enjoyed watching the boat come in.''