Bermuda.

Splendidly secluded and utterly unique, yet just a short flight from the East Coast, Bermuda is an island retreat offering innovative alternatives for the group travel market. Void of neon signs, Bermuda--with pastel colored buildings and strict environmental laws--has a purity rarely found anywhere.

Bermuda is a 21-square-mile island with state-of-the-art technology and the infrastructure of an international business center. As one of the top 10 international group travel destinations in the world, the island offers flexible and affordable group rates with no sales tax or food and beverage taxes. And all U.S. company meetings and conferences are tax deductible, just as if they were held at home. Facilities and services cater to the most demanding business travelers.

Bermuda provides groups with luxurious accommodations, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and distinctive venues to make every event a rousing success. The idyllic island boasts a thriving culture, rich in history, and an abundance of activities with azure water, clean air, pink sand beaches, and lily-scented breezes. This Atlantic isle--650 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina--is a "civilized playground" where groups can conduct serious business, yet during down time participate in a range of activities in and out of the water.

ENDLESS OPTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND VENUES

Bermuda offers a variety of accommodations, including resort hotels, small hotels, charming guest houses, and its unique cottage colony--intimate cottages with less than 100 rooms, spread throughout landscaped grounds and offering all the services of a resort hotel. Across the past five years, many properties have undergone extensive renovation, with new facilities and enhancements. Bermuda properties have responded to the growing interest in spa experiences with new luxurious facilities and specific group programs.

Venue options are equally varied. The Commissioner's House built in the 1820s of prefabricated cast iron stands high above the Royal Naval Dockyard, providing striking panoramic views from a wrap-around veranda. One of the best opportunities for large groups is Bermuda's unparalleled "Rent-The-Town" program, offering private use of the historic town of St. George's, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bermuda offers an abundance of unique settings for activities and dining, including historic homes and gardens; the Bermuda aquarium, museum, and zoo; the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute; and the Maritime Museum at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Planners can confidently choose Bermuda as a destination rich in year-round activities from golfing, fishing, tennis, and horseback riding to sailing and scuba diving.

With more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world, Bermuda is a mecca for the avid golfer. Because it has no rainy season, coupled with spring-like weather from November to March, the island is perfect for seasonal training. Bermuda's golf offering was enhanced in 2003 with the opening of Belmont Hills Golf Club and Tucker's Point Club a year earlier. The two redesigned courses feature challenging layouts and bring the total number of courses to eight, all with spectacular views.

SPECIAL EVENTS ADD PIZZAZZ

Planners aiming to add some pizzazz to an event could consider incorporating into their program one of Bermuda's special events, such as the Bermuda Jazz Festival, the Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival, the Bermuda International Film Festival, or the open houses and garden tours. Planners can wow attendees by integrating special events into their program to provide a local element to the itinerary. Possibilities are many, as Bermuda offers a breadth of activities each month of the year.

Group travel to Bermuda is easy with an impressive selection of accommodations, venues, and activities. Planners holding a meeting from November to March can take advantage of the best rates and added-value offerings. In addition to an island getaway, Bermuda offers groups the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine, and sporting events.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism's Group Department provides assistance for site-selection, customs-related issues, promotional materials, and facility and destination management company contact information. The Bermuda Tourism Web site has a dedicated section for group planning with online requests for proposal, virtual tours, and direct links to hotels, venues, attractions, and services.

CONTACT:

Phone: [phone], ext. 213

Fax: [phone]

Web site: www.bermudatourism.com