investment swoop.

James M. Dwyer Real Estate Equities International already owns the White Sands hotel and is understood to be lining up another prospective deal.

Company owner James M. Dwyer revealed his executives were busy on a plan which could boost tourism.

After losing out in bids to buy West End cottage colony Lantana and the former Belmont property, Mr. Dwyer said he was optimistic another property would soon be added to his stable.

"We are looking aggressively right now,'' he said. "We had offers in for other properties but they didn't come to fruition, but you never know, there are other places we are looking at.'' He said his company, as well as owning White Sands, has real estate and hotels in the US. Both small and large accommodations feature, indicating that Mr.

Dwyer would have no qualms about tackling a large investment on the Island.

In addition, he said one arm of the firm is a mortgage and finance division, making the capital aspect of any potential deal more straightforward.

Currently, Castle Harbour, Belmont, Club Med and Lantana are closed. A new city centre hotel is still on the drawing board as is a leisure plan at the former US Naval Annex in Southampton.

But where other investors have been cautious about investing in Bermuda, citing confidence as a major factor, Mr. Dwyer is confident the destination is on the up.

"I am very bullish about Bermuda. It is 90 minutes from the US,'' he said.

"I think the way we should be promoting ourselves is the `best kept secret'.

It has the sophistication and it is a wonderful sub-tropical island.'' Dwyer has experience in creating upmarket accommodations in large unused buildings. A current project sees penthouse suites being established in a Philadelphia lot.

And as builders and financers, the company would possibly have the expertise and experience to tackle any of the projects on the Government's wish list.

Both Mr. Dwyer and Dwyer Hospitality Group boss Dennis Curley were in Bermuda to welcome and introduce new White Sands general manager Esan Frederick (See story below) .

Expansion: James Dwyer