of Tourism's advertising blitz in North America. The figure covers January-June -- and is 23 percent up on last year.

Yesterday thrilled tourism officials claimed Bermuda was reaping the rewards of the campaign. Tourism department director Mr. Gary Phillips said it had shielded the Island from the full impact of North America's ailing economy.

The knock-on effects would have been far worse had "we not had our publicity and advertising efforts in full gear.'' Bermuda has been featured on television and radio, as well as such prestigious newspapers as The New York Times, Washington Times, Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen.

Mr. Phillips said advertisements increasingly included information on family travel, Bermuda Breaks packages, gardening, and bird watching. Special events such as the Newport to Bermuda Ocean Yacht Race were also spotlighted.

"This redirection of media coverage is not achieved by accident, but by design, beginning with strategic planning with our public relations agencies in the US and Canada,'' said Mr. Phillips.