Travel agents descended on the Island on Thursday evening to taste and sample Bermuda, and many said the Island had improved and was less ?stuffy? than on previous visits.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism re-launched a trade event known as Bermuda Briefing yesterday. Eighty-one travel agents arrived on the Island to be wined and dined in order to know more about the Island. They will spend the weekend visiting a number of hotels that have undergone renovations recently. They will also be taking in a number of historical sites and activities that tourists can avail of, as well as the restaurant and bar scene.

One Ontario travel agent, Jacqueline Gould, said she had been to the Island a number of times and was impressed with the Ministry?s initiative.

?It?s nice to see that Bermuda has come around and gotten rid of the stuffy attitude, everything is a lot more relaxed,? she said. ?Bermudians are wonderful people I can?t stress how much we appreciate everyone?s friendly attitude.

?There have been a lot of changes on the Island since I was last here. Hotels have undergone some major renovations. It?s important to come to these events because the product is constantly changing and I need to know what?s here now so we sell it to our customers.

?The Department of Tourism really has come out in full force,? she added.

Tourism Director Cherie Whitter said the Ministry decided relaunched the concept because travel agents still play an important role in the industry.

?This is perhaps the largest briefing we have done in the last six years. We decided to reintroduce the partnership with Bermuda Hotel Association. The Ministry had moved away from Bermuda Briefings at such a large scale in favour of smaller, more intimate groups.

?We revisited that and now we are moving in a new direction. The agent still plays an important role in booking vacations. They deal with people who are less Internet savvy and anyone not hooked up to the Internet. It is important that the relationship between the Department of Tourism and travel agents remains strong.?

Patricia Stedman of Massachusetts, said cheaper airfares could not have come at a better time.

?Bermuda really was getting to a point of pricing themselves out of the market. The flight alone is a major selling point. Its such a beautiful Island. I am particularly interested in seeing the renovations to the hotels.?

When asked about what makes Bermuda different from other islands, she was quick to list of the locals? attitude and picturesque spots.

?The cleanliness is a major difference, unlike other places there is little litter. Another plus for Bermuda is its people, everyone is just so nice! On other islands, people can leer at visitors, but not here.?

Mrs. Whitter said she was pleased the travel agents were on the Island to see for themselves that the product has improved.

?This is going to be a great year of tourism. I am excited about all the new business in terms of air travel to the Island. We also have much more to offer as a product in terms of nightlight and investment into hotels.?