look at what Bermuda really has to offer over the next three weeks.

The 600 agents, in three separate groups, will taste Bermudian hospitality when they are invited into homes on the Island.

The idea is to show the visitors the complete tourism infrastructure of the Island so they have a detailed knowledge of the Island to pass on to their clients.

Department of Tourism promotional services manager, Mr. Richard Quinn said: "This is our biggest on-Island promotion and each group will have an opportunity to visit a property in each classification such as hotels, guest houses, cottage colonies and tourist attractions.'' Arriving this week, the travel agents were welcomed by Minister of Tourism, the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge who outlined amenities on offer to their clients.

This was followed by a Bermuda Family Trade Show before agents began their tours of individual properties.

Mr. Quinn said: "The family trade show is designed to give the smaller properties exposure. They chat about accommodations and facilities plus they have an option of getting brochure material into the hands of agents.'' Taxis and buses will be used to transport the first group of 135 agents criss-crossing the Island, the highlight being the reception in a Bermuda home.

Mr. Quinn said: "This is the time when Bermuda residents invite the agents into their homes to meet other residents over refreshments before returning to their host hotel for the final banquet.

"The Department is indebted to the many people who open their homes to the agents and inasmuch as the expense of the reception is not borne by the department but, by the residents themselves. the agents are always very impressed.'' Mr. Quinn said that the briefing is not just Department of Tourism effort. He said: "Everybody is involved from the taxi drivers, hotel staff, ferry operators, bus operators, store and restaurant personnel, the people who run the sightseeing attractions. It is a Bermuda effort to show the agents what we have to offer.'' The second group arrives on Thursday and the final week of briefing activities begins on Thursday, November 19.