Bermuda's hoteliers are hoping a surge in bookings will boost the major part of their season.

Managers of major properties across the Island have reported encouraging results so far this year, but are looking for a rush of late customers to hold up the remainder of the summer.

They are cautiously optimistic of a good year as the Progressive Labour Party Government strives to push the rebirth of the industry, but are wary of heralding any successes before the "harvest'' is fully in.

And all accommodations were reporting no vacancy for the popular US Memorial Day holiday and following days.

Muriel Richardson, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said feedback from members had confirmed May had seen buoyant trade and June was looking to follow the trend, with modest increases in numbers.

But she added, it seemed July through to September bookings were behind at the moment.

"We are hoping for late bookings and at the end of the season we will see how it all panned out,'' said the Rosedon manager.

"We all have to be positive and think it is going to come in at the last minute. But if I was saying the managers weren't nervous, then I would be lying.'' Billy Griffith, president of the Harmony Club, said the early part of the season had shown promise, with June booked solid at the all-inclusive resort.

"August to September are not showing a significant amount of business by any means and we still have to work hard to achieve our forecasts for the rest of the summer,'' he said.

A decrease in the number of group bookings has left the months of July and August looking less positive than usual at the Southampton Princess.

But general manager Norm Mastalir said a strong June was boosting the figures over 1998 and he was hopeful a late rush would make it a good year.

"There seem to be more and more late bookings. People don't seem to decide until the last minute to go on holiday,'' he said.

Many properties are vigorously promoting in the US and offering special deals to lure vacationers over.

In addition, radio, newspaper and cable TV advertisements are soon to be joined by a major image campaign in glossy travel and lifestyle magazines -- all designed to drive business to Bermuda.

A meeting is to take place with tourism officials and the BHA to assess whether anything else can be done to supplement the ad campaign.

"It's still early days to see the affect of the adverts,'' said Mrs.

Richardson. "The campaign started late, but there is a possibility we might see some results in July and August.'' With occupancy rates of 95 and 96 percent for May and June, the Reefs is ahead of its 1998 rates.

Unlike many larger properties, the South Shore property has positive bookings for August and is now looking for September to show some promise.

And hoping to see some return from a number of overseas promotions, Sonesta managing director Dennis Tucker, said the Department of Tourism campaign would help their own efforts in the US.