And hoteliers are optimistic 2006 could be one of the strongest seasons in years. Although forecasts will not be available until next week, it is understood that many hotel bookings for the high season are up on recent years.

Earlier this week Dr. Brown launched a fresh campaign to liven up what he described as "boring" nightlife on the island, with a series of beach parties, barbecues, concerts and nightclub events.

"This year we have partnered with an array of talented local entrepreneurs who will deliver what we feel is perhaps the best line-up of Bermudian entertainment options this island has seen in years," the Minister said.

"Bermuda's entertainment scene will sizzle with a series of on-island activities designed to give our visitors and residents alike an experience they will never forget."

The strategy follows announcements earlier in the year of cheaper and more frequent flights to Bermuda from the US.

Yesterday tourism operators said they were optimistic that this summer would be a good one for the industry.

John Harvey, chief executive officer of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said: ""From the information that I have I'm certainly encouraged by what I'm hearing out there ? there definitely seems to be an improvement on last year.

"I think the Ministry and the Minister has zeroed in on something that has had a void for some time now and that's the provision of attractive entertainment. The Ministry has been trying to address it for some time and they have come up with things that hopefully will be appealing. All these things have got to be encouraged, supported and welcomed.

Tourism promoter Tony Brannon said he was also positive about the year ahead, and credited that in part to Dr. Brown's efforts.

"I think it's good news for Bermuda. I have always been a supporter of Dr. Brown because he's an effective politician and he was successful as Transport Minister," he said.

"From the point of view of Tourism, I may have liked to have seen things done differently ? with a tourism authority being set up rather than keeping it under Government control ? but at the end of the day he is getting things done . . . he's doing some amazing things."

Mr. Brannon praised the Minister for getting low-fare airlines such as JetBlue Airways to sign up for a Bermuda service, pointing out that the time was right "to go after the legacy airlines".

"I squawked for years about the high price of air fares but I think Dr. Brown has got some really good people working with him now and they've been able to strike some really good deals. Dr. Brown has made that happen, he's gone and got the job done," Mr. Brannon said.

"I've also heard on the grapevine and from the people I've been speaking to that this is going to be a very strong season ? there's a lot of positive feeling out there and a lot to be positive about. For a start, there's 300,000 cruise ship passengers and from what I hear regular tourism bookings are way up.

"That has a lot to do with air fares and the fact that Dr. Brown has made some changes in the Ministry and made people accountable. He's given it a business footing and a business head.

"I wasn't supportive of the last two Government Ministers because tourism was used simply as a political football ? there was no vision and nobody steering the ship.

"Dr. Brown is now running the Ministry more like a CEO and that means he's getting things done ? Tourism is no longer the bureaucratic, antiquated animal it once was.

"There's a lot of excitement out there now. Anything to help the entertainment scene is great. Now people in the entertainment industry have to make it exciting for our visitors and musicians need to play what people want to hear."