ahead of last year.

A Department of Tourism spokesman said ticket sales for the October 15 and 16 Dockyard event are 30 percent higher than in 1998.

Of those, 1,785 tickets have been sold as part of package holidays to overseas visitors.

A total of 2,244 passes have been sold overall, with 459 going to Bermuda residents.

There will be 5,000 seats per night, and of those 2,000 will be reserved areas.

Tickets went on sale in the US up to four weeks ahead of the Island, and most overseas sales are being handled by tour agents, who have put together packages with hotels and carriers.

Conde Nast Traveller is also a promotions partner and carried a ten-page advertising feature on the event in its August edition.

Appearing this year are Al Jarreau, George Benson, Patti Austin and a host of local artists.