while projections for October are running slightly ahead.

The Bermuda Hotel Association reported on Tuesday that member hotels and guest houses achieved a final occupancy of 64.7 percent -- the same rate as September, 1997 and 4.4 points ahead of September, 1996.

The BHA said that as of October 1, occupancies were projected to be 69.7 percent, surpassing the rate at the same time last year of 68.3 percent.

The final occupancy rate for October, 1997 was 70.4 percent.

Bookings at October 1 for November and December stood at 44.5 percent and 16.5 percent respectively.

The November figures were down 1.2 percent for the same time last year while the December figures were up 1 percent compared to December 1997.