success it has doubled in size.

Hotels in the January to March 68 Degree Temperature Guarantee Programme have risen from five to 11 this year.

And that proves that the guarantee to US visitors helped boost Bermuda's flagging winter tourist figures, according to Tourism Director Mr. Gary Phillips.

Yesterday a surge in hotel occupancy levels was linked to the scheme.

Mr. David Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said September had seen impressive occupancy levels of 73.6 percent.

This compared with respective percentage levels of 66.7 and 64.5 for 1992 and 1991.

And the forecast for October -- 68 percent -- was an improvement on the previous two years, Mr. Dodwell continued.

November's bookings projection, however, was 47 percent, down on 1992, although up on the 39.6 percent for 1991.

Mr. Dodwell said he believed the final figure for November would be better.

"Given the increased promotion and awareness of our November-March season, together with the short lead time of bookings, my belief is that November will soon start to show improvement.'' The predicted level for December was 14.6 percent, slightly ahead of 1991 and 1992, Mr. Dodwell added.

"December is generally accepted to be a slow month until Christmas and New Year's,'' he said.

Mr. Dodwell said it was becoming increasingly difficult to predict bookings more than a month in advance.

He added travellers were also less likely these days to do much advance planning.

"I think this is a continuing trend.'' Launched last year, the weather scheme guaranteed that temperatures would reach 68 degrees every day between January to March.

If the temperature failed to reach 68 competing hotels and stores would offer discounts to visitors.

Visitors seemed to like the scheme getting a discount of up to 20 percent on their rooms if the Bermuda weather was not up to the mark any particular day.

The original five hotels were the Hamilton Princess, the Southampton Princess, Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort, Elbow Beach and Grotto Bay Beach.

They will be joined in January by Mermaid Beach, Palmetto, Pompano Beach, Stonington, the Reefs and Lantana Colony Club.

Mr. Phillips said: "I think the temperature guarantee scheme was a communications device to get rid of the erroneous perception that it was a lot colder in Bermuda in winter.

"We needed something that gave travel agents a good reason to talk about Bermuda during the first three months of the year, which had been the hardest time for them.'' Travel agents were also given incentives of free rooms based on the numbers of rooms they sold to visitors. Again this was a device to encourage agents to mention Bermuda.

The Director of Tourism added: "I am delighted that more hotels have decided to come on board because it gives the programme more credibility.

"We now have cottage colonies and smaller hotels getting involved but I will not be totally satisfied until everyone gets involved in this scheme.'' Mr. Phillips did point out that other hotels had not offered discounts but had provided free cocktails and champagne when their visitors were not totally happy with the weather.

Generally the temperature did pass 68 on the first three months of 1993 so the hotels felt the campaign was successful for them.

Many believe that the real benefits will only be seen this year now the guarantee is now becoming better publicised.

The guarantee scheme is part of a major package aimed at keeping Bermuda in the minds of travel agents.

A travel agent guide "Both You And Your Clients Will Love It At This Time Of Year'' has been published by the Ministry of Tourism.

It includes answers to frequently asked questions by travel agents and tourists about the Island. The guide also aims to entice golfers, mature travellers, cultural tourists, shoppers and sightseers.

Much of the guide concentrates on the Bermuda Festival which runs from January 13 to March 5.

Mr. Phillips said: "All this creates a momentum during the first three months of the year which carried on during the summer. It provides a great platform for the rest of the year.''