Bermuda's bid to steal visitors from key US competitor resorts has been hailed a success by Tourism Minister David Allen.

As the first part of a controversial two-pronged attack on resorts on the US mainland came to a close, Mr. Allen confirmed that the Island was now "sold out right throughout the summer''.

The Minister made his remarks after the advertising campaign, which light-heartedly pokes fun at rival resorts such as Long Island, Cape Cod and Atlantic City sparked off renewed calls of foul play.

An article in yesterday's Boston Globe highlighted the current tourism war between Bermuda and its giant neighbour.

"The tropical British colony, known for its pink sands, has launched an advertising assault on Cape Cod's alleged weaknesses, including the summer traffic and the infestation of gaudy signs and fast food restaurants,'' the article read. "Bermuda tourism officials said no harm is intended, but Wendy Northcross of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce said the ad is a desperate act from an island colony that's watching its tourism industry dry up,'' the report went on.

But last night Mr. Allen dismissed criticisms that the campaign was in poor taste.

And he said that calls from US holiday makers making inquiries about the Island had shot up some 400 percent.

Mr. Allen also explained the thinking behind the campaign. He said that, because of time restrictions, it was necessary to "put Bermuda on the radar screen'' quickly and effectively.

"I think the Cape Cod adverts were even more low key than the Hamptons,'' Mr.

Allen said.

"But they were very carefully vetted with focus groups. They were toned down and there was a 98 percent approval rating -- I guess we're hearing from the two percent possibly.'' Ad campaign is called a success "They are entitled to their opinion. It was meant to be humorous and tongue in cheek and the idea was you could be in Bermuda quicker than you can be over the Bourne Bridge into Cape Cod. But nobody likes competition. "But I had dinner last night with some of the officials of the yacht race and two New Englanders came up and said they loved the campaign.

"The adds have finished this week -- there's one more ad for the New York area -- and it's important to realise how this campaign evolved.

"Due to market research it was realised that our competition was no longer just in the Caribbean -- the US family vacation market is a formidable competitor and we found that a lot of people, when they thought of an overseas vacation they thought of the expense and a long trip.

"But we see Bermuda and we know Bermuda has a tremendous advantage because we're only one hour and fifty minutes from Boston and New York.

"We should be and can be and hope to be very competitive with the short haul domestic markets.

"We seem to have resonated in the US market place. This week we have big double page spreads in lavish colour in publications with millions of readers across north America.

"There was a need to put Bermuda on the radar screens and we have now got the attention of the market place.

"This week in Bermuda there was not a hotel room to be had. Some small hotels and guest houses have had to find rooms elsewhere because they have been overbooked. Calls to the 1-800 number are up 400 percent and Bermuda is sold out right throughout the summer.

"We could go on like we have been for the last ten years being ignored and losing our market share. We had to make up our minds and ask are we just going to sit on the sidelines and continue to be ignored or are we going to go out there and get involved.

"But sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make a good omelette -- I think we're making a very good omelette at the moment. The evidence is that the consumer is responding and it's the consumer that I'm concerned about.''