bring a tourism windfall.

Since Saturday, when British Airways announced a $330 (UK 199) two-day seat sale from London to Bermuda, hundreds of people have deluged special phone lines to book tickets.

To cope with the demand, Bermuda's BA office (in Hamilton) opened its doors yesterday to help those booking seats for relatives and friends in the UK.

Behind the fierce demand is the lowest Bermuda-bound price seen in many years.

And now it seems the Island's hotel industry will benefit as the unexpected visitors seek accommodation.

It is understood that many hotels and guest facilities suddenly started receiving calls to book rooms over the weekend.

In addition, BA staff in Bermuda hope the unexpected surge for flights -- Bermuda was one of the top four destinations in the worldwide seat sale -- may lead to future bargain deals.

BA representative Sallie Singleton said: "It is the first time that the fare has been so low in many years. That is why there was tremendous interest.

"We have been lobbying hard for lower fares between the UK and Bermuda. We are optimistic that people will take notice in the future.'' Bermuda Hotels Association boss, John Harvey, said his members are delighted with the expected influx, especially since they were trying to tap into the UK market.

"It is a very positive step, if we can get attractive prices combined with good on-Island prices it is a win-win situation,'' he said.

"BA has been doing quite well on their Bermuda route and this gives people the opportunity to come here who might not have been able to afford to previously.'' But there was disappointment for many when the BA office opened in Hamilton -- a computer and telephone glitch meant staff couldn't sell tickets on the day to residents buying them for relatives and friends back home.

Although they could confirm bookings for those made previously, it was annoying for those who were using the opportunity after failing to get through on the special phone lines in the UK.

"Our staff had gone in to do their best but it was so upsetting that the lines were down,'' said Sallie Singleton. "We were trying to do a community service and a lot of people came in.''