Funding of up to $75,000 for memorable tourism experiences is up for grabs from Bermuda Tourism Authority - and the deadline to apply for the money is 5pm this Friday.

The authority issued a reminder today to the public about the funding initiative, which seeks to support experiences and events that enhance Bermuda’s overall tourism product or raise awareness of the Island.

It plans to award funding to those who provide a tourism experience, event, media programme or tourism industry service that is “defined as a journey that visitors embark on that connects part of them to Bermuda, creates memories they will take away with them and that will encourage them to return”.

A press release said funding was more likely to be given if the proposed experience:

• was unique and connected visitors with the beauty of the Island;

• attracted visitors to the Island travelling specifically for the experience;

• included a celebrity, sporting personality or prize-winning artist who in their own right was likely to attract media attention;

• was likely to cause an increase in the visitors’ length of stay and/or daily spend;

• had multiple sources of funding and a provision of matching funds;

• was accompanied by a viable business plan;

• could not be found anywhere else in Bermuda or even internationally;

• had wide support, backed up by letters; and

• was in alignment with the Bermuda National Tourism Plan.

Application guidelines on the authority’s website state that funding requests must not exceed $75,000 and that a decision may be made to award less or more than requested.

“The funding decisions are final and cannot be contested or appealed,” say the guidelines. “It must be noted that funding is competitive and on some occasions experiences that sufficiently meet the criteria may not be awarded funding.”

The authority has not revealed the total amount it expects to award annually under the funding programme.