claiming the Island had blown its competitors out of the water.

The Minister said the Bermuda delegation had blazed a trail through Strasbourg, to the extent that one Caribbean tourism boss conceded defeat to the Island.

Bermuda's stand, complete with the Bermuda Regiment Band and H & H Gombeys, had "totally scooped the Caribbean'', he said, following a lavish reception for 200 of the top US travel agents.

"The trade show has been a phenomenal success,'' he said.

"People came up to us and said the evening reception was one of the best events they had been to.

"It has been a quite remarkable week.'' Mr. Allen and tourism officials, from the US and London offices, have been in Strasbourg for the 69th World Travel Congress of the American Society of Travel Agents.

And the Minister left the city, confident that the Island was foremost in travel agents' minds.

With Caribbean destinations eclipsed by the Bermuda show of force, he said the Island could benefit from the region in some areas but also needed to be considered a separate, distinctive location.

"We have our cake and eat it,'' he said.

"We want Bermuda to be a unique destination. Also we have cultural links with the Caribbean, which we regard as special.

"But we also stand alone.

"Bermuda is a member of the Caribbean Hotel Association and we have partnerships in various areas. When there are events in the Caribbean/Atlantic region, we want to be there.

"You never want to be out of sight, you need to have it both ways.'' The Bermuda promotion at Strasbourg included an evening reception at the historic Salle Josephine, with special guests author Peter Benchley and chef Anton Mossiman.

A special "Bermuda-style'' cottage took centre stage at the trade show, and there was entertainment by the Bermuda Regiment Band, H & H Gombeys, Pinky Steede and the Kingsley Swan group.

Hamilton Mayor William Frith and Bermuda Hotel Association member George Wardman and his wife Claudia, manned the booth.

From France, the Minister will travel to London, where he will visit the World Travel Mart.