And to others it was just another Caribbean island.

But at least all had heard of it...thanks, once again, to the Bermuda Triangle, and Bermuda shorts.

To this 10-strong group of Japanese tour operators and reporters their Bermuda baptism last week was a refreshing eye opener.

Armed with trademark cameras, bundles of papers, and curiosity the whirlwind trip was meticulously recorded.

And, it is hoped, the experience could open the eyes -- not to mention wallets -- of thousands of well-to-do Japanese travellers.

It is thought the Japanese market could be a gold mine, but awkward to exploit.

The message from the three-day trip will almost certainly be upbeat.

It will plug the beautiful beaches, plush hotels, swish restaurants, cleanliness, and, of course, attractive golf courses.

Another huge plus will be security.

"Japanese tourists want to go somewhere where there is no crime. They are very sensitive to it,'' said Mr. Tsutomu Igarashi, general manager of of the New York office of Japan Travel Bureau International Inc.

"That is something which has been really impressive. Bermuda is a safe destination.'' The trip was the dual brainchild of Delta Airlines and Wyndham Resorts, owners of Elbow Beach.

It has been labelled a "fam'' -- short for familiarisation -- visit.

Mrs. Fran Tucker, Elbow Beach's director of sales, said most, if not all, group members had never been to the Island before.

"We want to expose them to Bermuda, and hopefully we will get more Japanese business,'' she explained.

Ms Sandra Ferlisi, director of international sales for Wyndham, said the group had been carefully selected.

It was hoped the trip would lead to Bermuda being featured in travel guides, and tour brochures and programmes.

Two journalists were also in the party to promote the Island.

"It is very important that we get coverage in the Japanese Press,'' explained Ms Ferlisi.

Ms Ferlisi said last year up to 11 million Japanese travelled on vacation, but only around 1,000 visited Bermuda.

The Island could be packaged as the ideal, exotic honeymoon destination, she added.

"The Japanese tourist is generally very sophisticated, and very well travelled.'' The Royal Gazette met up with the party last Friday as they were being shown around the Bacardi building, off Pitts Bay Road.

One of the reporters, Ms Rieko Taoka, works for Tokyo-based Travel Journal.

The 11,000-circulation journal is distributed among travel agents, hotels, and airlines.

What story will she be writing about Bermuda? "It is my first time here, and I have been very impressed,'' she said in good English.

"The only thing I knew about Bermuda before I came was the Bermuda Triangle.

"I was also surprised that it was a United Kingdom colony. I thought it was part of the United States.

"What struck me straight away was its beauty. It's really so wonderful, and clean.'' The praise is tempered, however, with comment on Bermuda's high prices.

Even tourists from one of the world's most successful economies are tightening their belts during a recession.

"Price is most important. Japanese tourists think cheaper is better, and Bermuda is expensive,'' said Ms Taoka.

Another big stumbling block was Bermuda's great distance from Japan -- at least 15 or 16 hours in flying time, she added.

With no direct flight between the two countries, a solution could be difficult.

Other first-timers to Bermuda were Mr. Igarashi, and Mr. Tsuneo Kobayashi, chairman of Jetour Usa Inc. in Los Angeles.

They were struck by the warmth of Bermudians and their tremendous sense of self-worth and pride.

One drawback, however, was the lack of guidance for foreigners with language difficulties.

"There are no Japanese interpreters,'' said Mr. Kobayashi.

Both, however, believed Bermuda could be tapped as a Japanese tourist destination -- if done correctly.

One idea was to capitalise on the Olympic Games in Atlanta in four years, they said. A combined promotion of the Island with Atlanta could reap rich dividends.