industry from the inside have been announced.

And the latest host of strategies to revive lagging visitor numbers will work from within Bermuda to create a superior holiday product rather than inundating communities abroad with glossy campaigns.

This month a new series of television commercials promoting "vibrant and exciting'' careers in the industry will air, targeting local students.

And an in-school programme presenting the benefits of a career in hospitality is also planned this month to attract budding ambassadors.

Visitor Industry Partnership chairman Eugene Blakeney announced the initiatives.

He said a priority for the group was to identify obstacles in an Island-wide survey of residents' attitudes to tourists and the industry as a whole.

And after the initial study for which the finer detail was now being drawn up a new survey would be conducted every three years to keep in touch with waves of opinion change as they occurred.

"We want to talk to practically every Bermudian about what they think and we're on track to do that in the early part of 1999,'' he said.

The second priority for the VIP was the "Super Host'' training programme for which they were currently signing up sponsors.

It would first address how to upgrade standards of service and hospitality within the industry.

But it was planned that it would then extend to how all residents could enhance visitors' Bermuda experiences.

In April a new series of television "infomercials'' shot at different locations around the Island and Tourism Appreciation Week were scheduled to pump up local enthusiasm, participation and pride in the industry.

The Bermuda Sunshine Awards programme would continue and the People's Choice awards to recognise outstanding employees nominated by their peers would be launched in August 1999 before a grand banquet in November.

Mr. Blakeney said as a reaction to the past three "turbulent'' years, the VIP was now developing strategies to "combat the spiralling downward trend in tourism with new energy and enthusiasm''.

And a $100,000 joint donation to VIP from the Bermuda Hotels' Association and Belco this month would help achieve that.

He said the VIP was well positioned to tackle the task of renewing local tourism ownership, passion and support for the tourism industry.

"Our current and proposed initiatives demonstrate our ongoing commitment to convince every resident to think positively about our major industry. "Our vision is to ensure that Bermuda reinvests in its unique blend of people, heritage and natural beauty.

"And that its visitor services and facilities are strengthened and rejuvenated in order to deliver the most memorable island experience.''