fund top-quality hospitality training.

Royal Caribbean International who operate the Nordic Empress presented the cheque to Tourism Minister David Allen yesterday.

Mr. Allen said: "This is for young Bermudians and maybe not so young Bermudians.'' He said the Hospitality Studies Endowment Fund would help pay for scholarships at Bermuda College right up to grants for studies at institutions abroad.

There is one scholarship of $15,000 for overseas training plus three scholarships of $3,000 each for existing programmes.

Application forms will be ready from the first week in March from the Department of Tourism.

A committee with tourism and education representatives plus financial experts including Joan Wood, senior financial consultant with Capital G, will invest the funds and expand the programme.

Royal Caribbean International Director of Community Relations Alfred Sanchez said: "We are doubling our fleet in the next five years so this commitment to training the future workers is extremely important to not only Bermuda but to us as a company.'' Mr. Allen thanked Royal Caribbean for their contribution: "They are a wonderful role model for other corporate citizens to contribute to this fund.''