businesses to Bermuda.

The Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge is with tourism chiefs, hotel bosses and airline and cruise ship representatives.

They hope to sell Bermuda to companies and encourage them to hold conferences here.

The Department of Tourism's major incentive house tour got underway last Sunday.

Among those with Mr. Woolridge are Director of Tourism Mr. Gary Phillips, officials from the department's New York office and a representative of Bermuda Island Cruises.

Tourism spokesman Mr. Charles Webbe told the Royal Gazette that every year the Minister and a group of industry partners try and get people together for the five-day major incentive house tour.

The group tours a few of the major cities in the US in the hope of capturing the interest of businesses.

"We have to attract their attention so that they will send their groups to Bermuda. "We want to let them know what is available in here, and that's why representatives from hotels, airlines and Bermuda Island Cruises attend.'' Mr. Webbe said these tours had a potential of attracting lucrative businesses to Bermuda.

"When one considers that close to fifty percent of our current business is group business, one would see the need for this delegation to go into the market place at which time they make special presentations to these people who are considered important meeting planners.

"We then school them on the idea of planning major meetings in Bermuda.'' Mr. Webbe added it helped to have "heavy hitters'' go because it proves the Department of Tourism is interested.

"The tour takes place during this time of the year because next month businesses prepare for next years business meetings.

"We encourage them to put Bermuda in their plans.'' The Hon. C. V. Woolridge.