Nine entrepreneurs and event producers have been approved in the latest round of the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Experience Investment Programme.The BTA said another five participants performed favourably in the application process, with decisions on those proposals deferred pending approvals or verification of information. Twenty-six applications were received in a submission process that began in September and was extended to October 10 due to the impact of Hurricane Humberto. Most of the home-grown tourism ideas submitted are set to take place in the first six months of 2020, the BTA said.Glenn Jones, chief experience development officer at the BTA, said: “In Global Entrepreneurship Week, we salute all the entrepreneurs who built proposals and put their ideas forward in our Experience Investment Programme.“We look forward to more than half of the 26 proposed projects taking flight, hopefully deployed into our tourism economy between now and next summer.”Fourteen approved and deferred applicants represent up to $210,000 in funding support, the BTA said. Funds are distributed to entrepreneurs and event producers once they agree on contract terms with the BTA, and performance milestones must be met before full investment is released.The roster of newly approved tourism ventures includes:• Art of Resistance: curated tours of City of Hamilton artwork highlighting African-Bermudian history• Festival of Performing Arts: annual winter showcase of international performing artists• Future Leaders: learning experiences for visiting educational and research institutions promoting cultural immersion, education, eco-volunteering and community projects• Harbour Nights: weekly street festival of late-night shopping, entertainment and art in Hamilton• Made in Bermuda Nights: weekly series of outdoor summer concerts featuring local musicians• Pan African Music Festival: festival of musicians from South Africa matched with local performers• Rum Punch Brunch: a brunch and day-party food experience held at cultural sites and parks• X20 Adventures: inflatable water park located in the island’s West End• Yoga en Blanc: wellness retreats especially geared to African-American travellersThe tourism experience investment programme is designed to help ideas and entrepreneurs aligned with the National Tourism Plan get off the ground, the BTA said. The programme also seeks to help existing businesses and ideas grow so that they become a greater part of the visitor experience and increase visitor spending.The programme will next accept applications from March 1 to 31, 2020, focusing primarily on experiences taking place in the second half of the year. Leading up to the application period, the BTA will host preparatory workshops February 27 and 28 to help prepare applicants.