second year of existence along with some new twists.

Winners of the 1997 Hotel Merit Awards will be announced at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on June 25.

And in addition to last year's presentations, there will be new awards and a fourth category specifically for large resort hotels.

The idea behind the concept is for hotels of all sizes to improve their standards to meet the expectations of the Island's visitors, said Tourism Department senior hotel inspector Barbara Willis.

All the department's 79 licensed properties are inspected by officials from the Tourism Department, Bermuda Fire Service and the Health Ministry who, in turn, sponsor the joint initiative.

To receive an award, properties have to meet the same criteria as they do to be licensed but must obtain the highest possible marks in the three areas of fire and health regulations and accommodation.

Last year there was a Longtail Award for hotels, Hibiscus Award for housekeeping properties and Cedar Tree Award for guest houses.

In addition there were Buttery Awards for the property in each category which consistently maintained a high standard of accommodation over the past four years.

But last year's awards were criticised by Shadow Tourism Minister David Allen when they were announced.

He said he felt they needed to be more comprehensive as it was unrealistic for larger properties to have to compete on the same playing field as smaller visitor accommodations.

This year there will be an Angel Fish Award for the large hotels to distinguish them from small hotels. They will also have their own Buttery Award.

One large hotel and one small hotel property will also receive a special award from the Environmental Health Department for achieving high marks in their health standards.

Last July, nine guest properties were honoured with awards.

Oxford Guest House received the Cedar Tree Award for top guest house and La Casa Del Masa and Angel's Grotto took Hibiscus Awards as the best housekeeping properties.

In the hotel category, Willowbank, Cambridge Beaches and the Mid Ocean Club received the Longtail Award for being top in their group.

Receiving the Department of Tourism Buttery Award last year were Royal Heights Guest House in the guest house category, Munro Beach Cottages for housekeeping properties and The Princess Hotel in the hotel category.

MUSEUM MUS TOURISM TOU