the number of people staying.

Latest figures from the Bermuda Hotel Association showed the September occupancy rate was 64 percent -- 7.5 percent down on the same time last year.

And, as in August, the September figures were heavily influenced by hurricanes, according to Association President, Mr. Stephen Barker.

"The hurricane was the major factor. We were expecting some large groups which did not arrive at all because the airlines cancelled. They did not re-arrange the trip, they went elsewhere.

"Individuals also made other plans and some people checked out early. People with another six days of their holidays to go left rather than go through a hurricane,'' said Mr. Barker.

September was influenced by Hurricane Luis. Although it did not hit the Island it came close enough for airlines to cancel flights. In August, Hurricane Felix came within 50 miles of the Island as tourists also fled early.

Without the hurricane in September, Mr. Barker estimated the hotels would have been close to their projected figures.

On the bright side, he said October business was picking up as holiday-makers were choosing Bermuda over the Caribbean which is still mopping up after being hit by a succession of hurricanes.

Mr. Barker believes October figures will be slightly better than forecast -- about five percent up on the same time last year at 65 percent occupancy rate.

The Association estimates the November occupancy rate will be just under 45 percent -- about one percent better than 1994 - and the rate for December about 17.4 percent, two per cent lower than 1994.