ERROR RG P4 14.2.2000 A story in the Royal Gazette incorrectly stated that 1999 visitor numbers were down from every major market, in every form of transport, to the Island on 1998. In fact, cruise numbers last year rose by 2.31 percent from 188,331 to 192,685. The total number of 1999 visitors was 551,601, not the stated 514,914. We apologise for the error. Also, guests from the north east US rose by 2.12 percent to 66,061 for the year. In addition the UK figure for 1999, although lower than last year, was still the second highest ever.

Bermuda Tourism scored a massive publicity coup with a surprise public endorsement of their west coast tour by superstar actor Michael Douglas.

The part-owner of South Shore cottage colony Ariel Sands made a guest appearance at a swanky reception hosted by Tourism Minister David Allen in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Mr. Douglas popped in to the reception, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, to meet with officials from his own hotel -- boosting the tour and scooping vital media attention.

But the shot in the arm came as gloomy news was received on the Island with the latest visitor numbers for the last month of 1999.

Every major market for the Island saw a drop in numbers in December -- forcing 1999 statistics down in every form of transport to Bermuda way below those of the previous year.

The disappointing end to the year was bad news for Tourism Minister David Allen, currently on his way back to the Island for an urgent tourism debate in the House of Assembly.

Speaking from Cinncinati, he said: "Michael Douglas caused quite a stir, he said he was surprised at the size of the show he said `this is a really big show, it is really extraordinary that Bermuda is doing this'.

"We chatted to him for half an hour, it really added some glamour and glitz to the event.

"He came along because it was made known to him that we were in town and he wanted to be there to lend his support.'' Meanwhile, the latest figures released by the Department of Tourism for December, the total number of visitors for the year was 514,914, down from 562,000 in 1998.

Air visitors from all sectors fell by 3.99 percent on 1998, from 368,756 to 354,026. And air passengers from the main US market fell 3.3 percent from 289,980 to 280,315.

And from Canada, numbers fell from 33,629 to 30,700 from 1998 to 1999. Even the UK market -- which had seen some increases in the past -- dropped from 33,379 in 1998 to 28,137 last year, a drop of seven percent.

For the month of December, all visitors fell by ten percent and the total of air visitors alone dropped by 4.69 percent.

The US saw the major fall, with 10,101 people, down 6.83 percent on the same month in 1998.

Canada dropped 2.54 percent to 2,299 and visitors from the UK fell by 4.49 percent to 1,637. The only increase was from Europe and the rest of the world, which saw 429 people and 401 people respectively, up 47 percent and two percent.

Bednights sold decreases The number of bednights sold decreased in every accommodation segment except guest houses and private clubs.

Large hotels saw the largest decline, down 38 percent, followed by small hotels, 15 percent. Cottage colonies dropped from 7,384 to 6,971.

But Mr. Allen was hailing a success the reception from west coast travel executives.

On Monday 250 delegates packed into the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco to meet with hoteliers and tourism officials.

And on Tuesday night the Four Seasons in Newport Beach was the venue for another trade show.

Hotel general managers were able to meet face to face with travel agents, with the opportunity to direct-sell their properties.

Over 1,100 agents are expected to attend the events, which conclude on Friday evening in Dallas.

Mr. Allen said the response from travel representatives was "phenomenal'', bearing in mind Bermuda had not had a promotion in the region for the last 12 years.

The tour is backing up the new, second Delta service from Atlanta, which is due to start in April -- providing west coast residents with the opportunity to get to and from Bermuda in one day.

Superstar shines for Bermuda: Actor Michael Douglas pictured during his guest appearance at the Bermuda Tourism reception at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. With him is Tourism Minister David Allen (left) and Ariel Sands' general manager Alan Paris (right).