flights to the Island to meet seat demand.

The head of Bermuda's tourism office in London disclosed this week that travel agents were forced to send sun-seeking Brits to other islands because British Airways' twice weekly London-Bermuda flights were fully booked.

Mr. Derek Brightwell said UK tour operators told him that rather than go through the hassle of flying to the Island indirectly, many customers went elsewhere.

"It (flying indirectly) appears to many to be a detour,'' he remarked. "And it's not like there aren't plenty of other places to choose from.'' Mr.

Brightwell was commenting on the latest tourism figures. They showed the number of Brits visiting Bermuda to date has plunged nearly 12 percent (from 13,385 to 11,847) compared to last year, while the number of Europeans holidaying here has risen almost 13 percent (from 3,584 to 4,042).

He blamed the downturn mostly on BA's flight cutbacks rather than the recession. Before BA dropped the axe last year there were six London-Bermuda flights a week.

Mr. Brightwell also pointed out that because 1991 was considered a good year for British tourism, this year's figures looked even worse.

His comments were made shortly before BA deputy chairman and chief executive Sir Colin Marshall told The Royal Gazette a decision on whether to increase flights to the Island had still not been made.

"We have it in mind to increase flights,'' he said, adding neither the winter nor the summer schedules had been finalised.

Sir Colin made the statement after a press conference in London this week to unveil a $100 million venture to sharpen BA's competitive edge over other airlines.

Labelling the plans a "$100 million assault on the world's air travel markets'', he announced a new global advertising campaign, upgrades to the Concorde, new features in Club World class and the building of a "revolutionary'' lounge at London's Heathrow Airport.

BA spokesperson in Bermuda Mrs. Sally Singleton said yesterday it was her understanding a decision on whether to increase flights would be made within the next two months.

In the meantime, Mr. Brightwell said the London office was looking into ways of making a trip to Bermuda via America more "palatable''.

The "two-centre'' vacation trend is one option being explored, he said. Tour operators would sell holiday packages to Bermuda which would include a short stopover in a US city for shopping, shows and sightseeing, he explained.

He said the Bahamas -- which BA has no direct flights to -- is often sold that way. Tourists stay a few nights in Miami or Orlando before flying to the islands to soak up the sun.

Mr. Brightwell also said the securing of another airline to serve Bermuda with direct flights out of Europe looked promising.

He revealed one airline had said it wanted to start serving Bermuda and is currently being "evaluated'' by Government.

Mr. Brightwell said he did not think insufficient advertising in Britain or the cost of a Bermuda holiday had caused the drop in British visitors.

However, latest brochures at two leading travel agencies in London offered far cheaper holiday packages to the Caribbean than to Bermuda.

Thomas Cook is offering holidays in Jamaica starting at 399 and the Bahamas at 498, while its Bermuda holiday costs 609.

And American Express Travel is selling the Bahamas from 549 compared to 692 for Bermuda.

Mr. Brightwell noted he was in a "catch-22'' situation with regards to advertising.

He said Government had restricted the office's budget following the flight cutbacks, feeling there was no point in increasing advertising spending while there was limited access to the Island from Britain.

"But the only way to increase our access is to put pressure on the airlines by demonstrating our growth potential,'' he said.

Since Government is not about to hand over more advertising dollars, Mr.

Brightwell said the office would have to remain confident BA will soon increase flights to Bermuda.

"We are very encouraged they (BA) will,'' he said. "The flights have been leaving fully booked.'' Mrs. Singleton believes BA's announcement to upgrade Club World's features may help keep flights full through winter as well.

She said the news was important to the Bermuda market because it would make BA more attractive than the other airlines serving the Island.

The BA spokesperson added Club World -- inbetween economy and first class -- was "extremely popular with Bermudians''.

Sir Colin announced new seats with adjustable back panels and foot rests would be installed in Club Class along with seat-back eight-channel televisions.

He said the airline was launching an $80 million advertising campaign called the "feeling good campaign''.

And it is to give the Concorde a "21st century facelift'' and build a luxurious waiting lounge for First Class and Club World passengers at Heathrow's Terminal Four.

Sir Colin did acknowledge the importance of economy class and promised it had "not been left out''.

"While the industry as a whole is still grappling with the effects of recession, we will be moving forward with our agenda of investment to bring enhanced quality and value-for-money to the customer,'' Sir Colin said.