The new initiative launched this week to attract more American visitors to the Island this winter is sure to drum up more business, a leading wholesale tour operator in the United States said yesterday.

The Royal Gazette revealed on Wednesday that the package will see hotels reduce winter room rates by up to 35 percent for US tourists, who will also be given a $100 voucher to spend in shops and restaurants.

The public and private sector Bermuda Alliance for Tourism, which has worked out the deal, is negotiating with the four US airlines which serve the Island to try to get lower fares for the promotional packages.

The promotion is similar to one announced earlier this month for the European market, which will see 20 percent reductions in rooms, and discounts in shops, restaurants and public transport.

Tracy Santangelo, the managing director of Magic Carpet Vacations in Boston, prepares holiday packages which she sells to individual travel agents in the US.

When asked if she thought the deals will result in more business this winter, she said: "Absolutely. The deals are great. It's very positive and I'm very positive.

"One of my main concerns was to have a destination special package, not just the hotels and airlines. It was to have the shops and restaurants involved to give added value to make Bermuda a competitive destination.

"I'm very excited that they have got everyone together involved and I can't wait to start doing some selling. There are a lot of deals on at the Caribbean at the moment and Bermuda has to be competitive, so the timing is perfect.

"We took a pretty heavy hit during the cancellation of the Jazz Festival, however, a lot of my last minute business now is to Bermuda. I definitely have hope, even for the rest of this year."