interest, have made it the "number one'' travel destination for one American travel writer.

Henry Josten, in his travel column for the Shoreline Newspapers of Connecticut which includes some 15 New England papers with a combined readership of more than 500,000 people, heaped praise upon the island in a recent column.

In the article, entitled "Bermuda Still The Best'', Mr. Josten said Bermuda was his number one favourite place of the more than 71 countries he has visited.

"I've had the good fortune to visit 71 countries in all parts of the world for more than half a century,'' he said. "I love Hong Kong and San Francisco, Alaska, Hawaii, Haiti and Rio, most of Europe and Africa, the Middle East, South Pacific, China, India, Thailand and Walt Disney World.

"But, asked to name my number one favourite, the answer remains unhesitatingly, Bermuda.

"It is the ideal vacation paradise for Connecticut residents, whether singles, couples or families.'' Mr. Josten goes on to praise the pink beaches, "exceptionally courteous drivers'', historical sites like Fort St. Catherine and the Dockyard.

But it is the people, he said, that impress him the most.

"Best of all are the people of Bermuda, black and white, who are invariably warm and friendly and go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome.

"A welcome change from the `natives' travellers often encounter in some foreign lands and some Caribbean islands.'' TRAVEL TVL TOURISM TOU