meeting with Government.

Representatives of major hotels met with Premier Jennifer Smith, Tourism Minister David Allen, BIU president Derrick Burgess and MPs, in a bid to focus on some of the problems facing the industry.

Stephanie Sonnabend, president of the Sonesta Corporation, said they were hoping to see some progress in the planning stages by the time of the next meeting, in two months.

"The meeting tonight was looking at the whole industry and how we can make that more successful here in Bermuda,'' she said.

Subjects discussed included human resources, marketing, operating costs, image and market strategy.

But Ms. Sonnabend declined to go into detail on the actual problems outlined.

And she added that the closure of Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort -- the venue for last night's meeting -- would only impact on the industry temporarily.

In addition to presentations by the hotel owners -- which included Canadian Pacific, Elbow Beach, Grotto Bay and Harmony Club -- Government talked of new relationships between the industry and administration.

Premier Smith said: "I was pleased with the presentation by the hotel owners.

It demonstrated an innovative approach to tackling the problems.

"They laid out positive action plans and, I am pleased to say, we are moving.''