providing a bonus for residents and visitors.

And two new flights from the US will enable the Island to launch an assault into the mid west and west coast, but also linking up with Europe.

TWA is expected to start service from St. Louis in the summer and Delta Air Lines has confirmed a second flight out of Atlanta -- timed to ensure passengers can hook up with flights from the west and east.

It will mean visitors can fly from the US west coast and the European mainland to Bermuda in one day -- making the Island attractive to huge new markets.

Around 18,000 seats are projected to be filled in the early stages, out of a possible total available of up to 40,000.

That is despite the loss of the US Airways seasonal flight to La Guardia and is expected to push the yearly total to close to 700,000 seats.

And to back up the new services, tourism roadshows are to hit the mid west and west coast -- teaming up with the airlines for a marketing blitz in several cities.

Tourism Minister David Allen said the daily Atlanta service, due to start in April, will enable people to make European connections to and from the Island.

"We are optimistic that business will increase, offering a whole new area of opportunity for people with the 4 p.m. departure from Atlanta. It is vital for people to get to Bermuda in one day,'' he said.

"Delta is greatly expanding their European services. They have flights from Italy and Switzerland, and a lot of their flights will be able to connect with the 4 p.m. flight.'' The Minister added that the early morning departure from Bermuda also made it possible for people to complete their return journey in the same day.

Tourism is now working with Delta on joint marketing and it has been suggested to the airline that there is now an opportunity to offer twin centre holidays in Atlanta and Bermuda to European customers.

Two tours are scheduled for the mid west and west coast next year to provide the airlines with support for their new routes.

In February, hoteliers, retail representatives and other officials are expected to take Bermuda to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Atlanta.

And in April, Mr. Allen will lead tourism representatives to the mid west, hitting Denver, Dallas, Chicago and the TWA headquarters in St. Louis.

The tours are likely to have more of an educational focus than the glitzy roadshows seen in the US east coast and Canada this year.

There will be Bermudian entertainment, but they will take on the form of trade shows, with hotels, retailers, restaurants and activity companies hopefully taking stands.

Special rates for airfares and accommodations have been offered to encourage businesses to attend.

"We want them to come along to provide different aspects of the Bermuda experience,'' the Minister said. "We are hoping the maximum number of people can participate in the trade shows.''