A US travel company has celebrated 30 years in business by giving its 200 staff the day off ? in Bermuda.

Lucky employees of Trans National Travel Vacations flew in from Boston on two chartered jets last Wednesday.

But, despite having the day off, staff still had a busy schedule to keep up with ? being entertained by the Warner Gombeys and The Bermuda Strollers as they sipped Rum Swizzles, swam and played volleyball on Elbow Beach.

And Tourism Minister Renee Webb was also on hand to present TNT founder and chairman Steve Belkin and company president John C. Dircks with a plaque for 30 years of service to the Island. TNT has arranged for 350,000 visitors to come to Bermuda in the last three decades.

Mr. Belkin said the special outing was organised as a 'thank you' to the company's staff.

"If you treat your staff well, they will treat your customers well," he said.

The slogan on the back of Mr. Belkin's T-shirt read: "30 years of work and fun, celebrate in the Bermuda sun."

Following their afternoon of fun on the beach, staff were back in the air on their way home by early evening ? having spent about nine hours on their minibreak.

Mr. Belkin did not reveal the cost of the trip to the company, which closed its offices for the day.

But he promised to be back with the rest of his staff in five years for TNT Vacations' 35th anniversary.