The President of the Bermuda Hotel Association is very optimistic that the Department of Tourism?s recent marketing efforts at the World Travel Market in London will pay off with not only increased tourism business, but also the addition of flights from mainland Europe.

Following his participation at the prestigious annual tourism exhibit ? one of the largest in Europe ? Michael Winfield said considerably effort has been put into both the United Kingdom and European markets over the past several weeks.

He said the Bermuda Hotel Association partnered with the Bermuda Department of Tourism in these efforts to boost business from the UK and ensure that the increased frequency of flights from London next year, will be successful.

As of March British Airways will be increasing its service from London to Bermuda from five to seven days a week.

These efforts, Mr. Winfield said were manifested at the World Travel Market where the Bermuda stand received great attention. ?Without a question the UK travel trade is catching the spirit that those of us in the industry are now feeling towards the UK market,? he said.

In parallel with these efforts, extensive work is being undertaken by the Ministry to stimulate the German-speaking market and the Italian markets.

Mr. Winfield said the Ministry of Transport was working hard to secure a direct flight for those markets, highlighted last week when a delegation of senior German tour operators visited the Island.

?I?m delighted to say that they left the Island both impressed with Bermuda as a product and are committed to creating the increase in business from their markets,? he said.

Mr. Winfield remained optimistic at the increase of tourism traffic from both the UK and European markets and all concerned, he said, were working very hard to make this a reality.

During the World Travel Market, Mr. Winfield met with UK tour and travel operators.

He said many felt the Department of Tourism needed to differentiate itself and define it as something very special in its own right.

?Mauritius in the Indian Ocean stands out as a destination of its own right. It does not have to be part of anything to be popular and if we can do that with Bermuda, if we can define its? unique attributes and seasons and educate the UK market to all of these things, plus the fact that it?s relatively close, safe, and is sophisticated, I am convinced there is real potential.?