Recent marketing of Bermuda to the UK and Europe is paying off, Tourism representatives said this week.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell and Pippa Grive, director of Bermuda Tourism in London, agreed that a "foundation'' of first-time visitors from Europe is being built.

"There is good news. This bears out the change in direction with the marketing plan,'' Mr. Dodwell said.

Among the changes was the decision to not attend the World Travel Market show, the second largest travel show in the world. Instead, the Department would set up its own initiative which was held last November at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge. Tour operators, travel agents and group organisers were invited.

At the World Travel Market, Bermuda tended to be included in the Caribbean area, Ms Grive, who joined the London office in January, 1996, said.

"We were keen to take Bermuda -- isolate it and have it stand it alone.'' Another new initiative to boost Bermuda's visitor numbers from Europe is an training for European travel agents. The training, started in April, includes two intense ten-hour sessions. Agents who complete the training are appointed specialists.

Eighty agents are on board and about 20 more will be added later this year, Ms Grive said.

"These agents have become key. We are encouraging them to court more business for Bermuda,'' she said.

These initiatives are part of the London office's $2 million annual budget, part of Tourism's overall $31.5 million budget.

The UK, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany are being targeted by the "Find Yourself in Bermuda'' campaign.

Europe won't replace the US when it comes tourism, but Mr. Dodwell said that "we recognise it's important not to put all are eggs in one basket.'' Last year, total bed nights spent in Bermuda by European visitors accounted for 16 percent of the total. "The number of competitive options has mushroomed. The biggest competition is (American) people staying home,'' Mr.

Dodwell said.