occupancy figures.

For bookings for the three months from April are all up on the previous year.

And the improved figures were credited to joint efforts to boost the industry from the Tourism Ministry and hoteliers.

The combined hotel and cottage colony occupancy figures for March logged a 49.1 percent rate -- 0.2 percent up on 1997's figures, although the 1996 figure was 6.7 percent higher.

Both April and June are between 6 and 11.7 percent up on the corresponding 1997 figures.

Bermuda Hotel Association president Dennis Tucker said: "For the month of June there is a tremendous improvement against 1997.

"And we believe that joint initiatives between the Ministry of Tourism and the Bermuda Hotel Association is producing results.'' And he added: "Let's hope that this momentum continues throughout 1998 and beyond.'' Mr. Tucker said: "Currrent projections for April are 6 percentage points ahead of 1997.''