summit on the Island for years.

On Thursday, more than 25 major US and Canadian travel companies -- who each produce a major slice of the Island's business -- will take part in the Bermuda Wholesalers meeting.

Held at the Sonesta Beach Resort, it promises to be another high profile event as Bermuda bids to revitalise its tourism product.

The four-day symposium follows the tourism revitalisation tour of the United States, when Premier Jennifer Smith and Tourism Minister David Allen set out their stall to American travel agents.

Billy Griffith, president of the Harmony Club, said this year's event took on even more meaning after the publicity and interest generated by the American tour.

"This year is more important,'' he said. "This is the largest turnout of wholesalers in several years and everybody is keen to get involved.'' He said the conference enabled individual hotels to contact wholesalers, so ideas on promotions, updates on new facilities and what is happening can be swopped.

Companies attending include TNT Vacations, Apple Vacations, USAir, Air Canada and American Airlines.

The retreat will be addressed by Mr. Allen, Richard Eve of the Bermuda/US tourism office and Bermuda Hotel Association president Muriel Richardson.

In addition, the Government's new advertising company, J. Walter Thompson, and public relations firm, Lou Hammond and Associates, will make presentations on their briefs.

TOURISM TOU