will impact on spring reservations.

But most were optimistic that once information on reduced fares to Bermuda filter down to travel agents in the United States, hotels will see an upswing in bookings.

"It really is too early to tell,'' said Elbow Beach manager Mr. Pat Lupshaw.

"We didn't see any lifts last week, but that's not to say it won't happen.'' He added that when he tried to a make a personal reservation last week, information on the new fares was still not available.

And he predicted it would be another week before hotels began to reap the benefits of the cuts.

Asked if he expected the cuts would result in a boost to bookings he said: "I am quite certain they will.'' On Wednesday, USAir announced a pre-tax fare of $142 for round trips to Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Continental matched the cuts by slashing the airline's Bermuda-Newark flight fare to $142 as well.

The reduced prices come in to effect from February 21 and are good for travel until June 15.

Pompano Beach Club reported an immediate surge in reservations since last week.

Resident manager at the Southampton property, Mr. Larry Lamb, said cuts in airfares offered "huge booking travel incentives'' for visitors.

And he attributed recent strong bookings to the reduced fares.

"There is always a direct connection and in this case it is pretty substantial,'' he said. "People like to think they are getting good value, especially where airfares are concerned. It confirms people's decisions to go.'' He added that while February is generally the month when people plan their spring and summer vacations, the airfare cuts prompted them to reserve earlier than usual.

"It's wonderful for us,'' Mr. Lambe admitted. "I hope it continues all year.

"The Island benefits directly. Any type of fare decreases bring back to people's mind the idea of going to Bermuda.'' Last week, Lantana Colony Club managing director Mr. Adam Leseur said it was too early to tell what impact price cuts would have on reservations, although he expected to see results this week.

He added that in the past, the hotel experienced "a definite improvement in business'' as a direct result of the reduced fares.

Said Horizons & Cottages manager Mr. Wilhelm Sack: "As a direct result, it is very difficult to say. It has been very busy but I could not attribute it directly to air fares.'' Smaller guest houses admitted the impact of the cuts were negligible.

Loughlands owner Mrs. Mary Pickles said it was "hard to say'' what the impact was. And manager of Little Pomander Guest House Mrs. Patricia Harvey claimed they had received "nothing at all'' in terms of reservations as a result of the cuts.