offerings by hosting its inaugural dive familiarisation trip this week.

A group of 15 tour operators, travel agents, wholesalers, airline representatives and dive club/shop operators will attend the event which runs from today to October 5.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell said: "The aim of the trip is to educate these important industry professionals about Bermuda's dive facilities, having them experience it first-hand so that they can be instrumental in moving their dive groups to Bermuda.'' Every member of the group is an experienced diver and has been identified and targeted specifically because they move divers to various destinations around the world from their North American locations.

The host hotel is Marriott's Castle Harbour and the group members will be treated to site inspections of other hotels, attractions which interest divers and three dives, which will be hosted by local dive shops, hotels and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

"This will permit the group to see Bermuda and its diving in all its splendour and is by far the best way to sell this aspect of our activities to visitors,'' said Mr. Dodwell.

A similar promotion is planned for the UK/European market in the spring of next year.