this winter -- but it should pay more dividends in years to come.

That was the view yesterday of hoteliers and the Tourism Department as the November to March 1992-93 season ends.

And they are certain that schemes like the 68 Degree Temperature Guarantee will be the basis to attract more visitors in years to come.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said signs of improvement had already started.

But hoteliers are counting on better results next year after years in recession. Since January 1, total air arrivals are up 1.4 percent on last year.

A joint approach by tourism officials and hotel owners started in November with the launch of the calendar of events for the four months.

As well as the Temperature Guarantee Scheme, which offers discounts in 30 stores, there was the Dine-around programme and reduced rate transport tickets on buses and ferries.

The idea was to raise Bermuda's profile as an all round vacation destination and not just a beach resort.

Mr. Timothy Russell, general manager of the Elbow Beach Hotel, said: "People do not realise that it is warmer down here than they think. There are people sitting up in New York and Boston ankle deep in snow and we have 70 degrees in Bermuda.

"Although we are seen as a beach destination there are not many people heading to the beach from November to March. This is where the advertising helps for golf and cultural vacations.'' Hotels involved in the 68 Degree Temperature Guarantee have been happy to sit out this year and wait for real results next year.

Just 20 days over the past four months failed to reach 68 degrees, meaning thousands of dollars had to be paid back to guests for the 20 percent discount. But the majority of days throughout November to March have been in excess of 70 degrees proving the promise of a sunny climate.

Mr. Peter Komposch, general manager at the Hamilton Princess, said: "Our guests are pleased with the fact that they get 20 percent discounts if the weather does not reach that temperature. But they are also happy with the warmer weather.'' Mr. Russell said: "We have gone big time on the programme here, announcing the temperature every morning to the guests.

"We are 100 percent behind this scheme. It is a great programme. If it continues we will see that it is a success.'' Mr. Woolridge said: "We had been thinking of ideas to destroy the myth that Bermuda is cold during the winter. We have no frost like they have in Florida.

"We have seen improvements, particularly in the early months of the year, when this was the only promotion going.'' Mr. Woolridge said the whole campaign, including golfing holidays, visits to the Bermuda Festival and other events, had shown the variety of activities available on the Island.

He said: "These people who are staying in their homes in the US because of the cold winter now realise that there is somewhere where they can get out into the air.'' Mr. Komposch said: "The campaign has been a great gimmick to advertise Bermuda across the United States. We should be able to measure its success next year.'' Tourism officials will hold meetings to assess just how successful the November to March campaigns.

Mr. Woolridge said: "We are hoping for better times in the US so that our visitors will begin to return to the Island.

"But I must stress that I believe we will never return to the glory days of the early 80's. The Club Med and the Bermudiana have closed so we have 1,500 beds less.

"What we will be doing is putting all our effort into filling the beds and making the best of what we have.'' Weekly airport arrivals were down by 434 (5.9 percent) on last year. Over the last four weeks, arrivals were down by 416 or 1.8 percent on last year.

Air arrivals in December last year were up marginally on 1991 and up strongly in November.