From cruise ship passengers to jet setting executives, Bermuda's tourism product faces tough sell in a demanding global marketplace. Today, The Royal Gazette's Nea Talbot talks to resort visitors about their Island impressions.

Tomorrow, Tim Greenfield wades further afield, looking at how some of Bermuda's Caribbean competitors are faring.

Despite dismal statistics that show Bermuda tourism continues to falter, there are visitors who sing this Island's praises.

Talking with The Royal Gazette this week, a resounding number of resort-based visitors praised the Island for its uniqueness and charm.

Visitors who selected Bermuda as their summer destination said one of the main reasons for coming to the Island was its convenience to the United States.

Long-time visitor from Boston, Mass., Gina Penna, said she continued to come to the Island because it was just a "two-hour hop'' from the east coast.

"My husband and I have been coming here since our honeymoon in 1966,'' she said. "We're not ones to travel all day so this works out good for us.

"Bermuda is definitely the right distance for a weekend getaway.'' Repeat visitor from Massachusetts, Norma McNally, agreed. "It's perfect -- only two hours from home.

Convenience and quality make impression "When you don't have to worry about flying for hours, that enhances the vacation.'' The Department of Works and Engineering received a unanimous thumbs up from visitors who noted that Bermuda's level of cleanliness rated higher than other Caribbean islands.

They were very impressed at the lengths the Island went to in order to keep up its appearances.

"Bermuda is immaculate, just immaculate!'' raved New York visitor Wendy Goldstein. "The Island is incredibly beautiful and there are nicer beaches here.'' Sanford, N.C. visitor Sonja Perkins added: "This is my first time to Bermuda.

I've been to other Caribbean islands before and they are not very well kept.

Sometimes there is a lot of poverty and people from affluent nations don't really want to see things like that.'' Although Bermuda is finding it increasingly difficult to attract the kinds of visitor numbers it once enjoyed -- due to increasing global competition -- visitors hailed the Island's relaxed atmosphere as another of the more important reasons why they came to the Island.

New York visitors, Johnathan and Tanya Cunningham, said they knew they made the right choice to vacation in Bermuda.

"We came to relax,'' Mr. Cunningham said. "We wanted to get away and Bermuda is more refined and easier to deal with as opposed to other places.'' Ms Penna added: "Relaxation is important. Places that have all the inclusive things like Club Med are not always good. I don't need all that sporty stuff.

Often when you get there, the facilities aren't what they claim to be.'' When visitors were asked if there were any down sides to the Island, a familiar theme of high prices and a scarcity of local entertainment resonated.

Elbow Beach Resort guest Mr. Cunningham said: "Prices are what they are, but what can you do? I really don't have a complaint, because you're paying for the quality.'' Some of the other highlights of the Island, visitors said, were the easy access to public transportation and the fact that rental cars were forbidden.

In fact, visitors wondered how the Island could be having difficulties with its tourism industry.

So what could be wrong with Bermuda? Apparently nothing according to New York visitor Michael Casando who said: "The weather is right, the food is great, you have one of the most peaceful and serene countries in the world. "What could be wrong?'' Main attraction: About two hours airtime from major North American gateway cities, Bermuda's pink sand beaches blend a perfect mix of convenience and beauty.

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