Hotels in Bermuda have experienced a number of cancellations and postponements since the war in Iraq began - but it is still too early to predict the success or failure of the summer season.

The Bermuda Hotels Association this week sent a questionnaire to its 35 members asking them how many cancellations and postponements they had received since the military action began on March 17.

About 65 percent had responded by yesterday, and together, they reported that a total of 317 nights had been cancelled altogether and 61 nights had been postponed.

The Royal Gazette has also learned that 50 American youngsters due to play in a junior squash tournament next weekend have cancelled because their families want to be close to them in wartime. See story in Sport

BHA officer John Harvey said although it was a difficult time for the hotels, he was not alarmed by the cancellations and number of deferrals.

"It is what it is," said Mr. Harvey.

"I think it's fair to say that there are some people who have chosen, because of the war, not to vacation and there are some people who have chosen to review it for a later date, but then there are some people who have decided to come.

"Due to the uncertainty of the war, our phones have not been ringing like they usually are. I think the best comment I can give is that it's steady as you go. But it's not only Bermuda, it's other jurisdictions, as well. Everybody has to be patient."

Mr. Harvey said he doubted business would pick up quickly because people were still very uncertain, but he said it would be wrong, at this stage, to write the summer off.

"The jury is still out," he added.

"There is the thrust against Baghdad coming and that is considered to be the climax of the war. I think once everything has settled, that will be when we will know how Bermuda is going to do. There is no exact science to this."

Mr. Harvey said he believed hotels had anticipated the current situation, and so had not staffed their hotels as well as they usually would have, but he said everyone was hoping the war would come to an end soon.

But John O'Brien, manager of Ariel Sands, said the hotel was in a healthy position and had, so far, not suffered like others had.

"We have not had people cancel or postpone," he said. "We have been expecting it to happen, but fortunately it hasn't. We are doing very well. March has been very good, and April is looking the same way, and May, June and July are doing well. They are at about 65 percent.

"We would like to see them at 80 percent at this time of year, but they have been at 65 percent for about two or three weeks.

"I think it's the war - people are holding back. Maybe when it is over, they will begin to plan. But fortunately, for us, everyone who has booked to come, so far, has been turning up, and hopefully, April will be the same."

Earlier this week, Reefs owner David Dodwell said the hotel had seen few cancellations, but new bookings were slow.