The organisers of next week's Grand Slam of Golf have reported healthy sales – with Bermudians snapping up the tickets.

David Charles, senior director of the US PGA Championships, told The Royal Gazette the global economic situation and growing US recession would not necessarily impact on ticket sales as most passes have been sold to Bermuda residents.

"It's primarily a Bermuda sale," said Mr. Charles. "Those planning to come from the US previously purchased their tickets anyway, but it's primarily Bermudians buying the tickets.

"Ticket sales are going very nicely but there are still some available for sale.

"We don't give out the quantities but we are very pleased with sales to date. It is very similar to this time last year, when we still sold them up to the event itself."

Last year, Government spent $1.5 million on bringing the PGA championship to the Island for two years. Premier Ewart Brown, Tourism Minister, said the money could be seen as an "investment" in attracting tourists to the Island.

Last year, commenting on the international coverage of the tournament, Dr. Brown said: "We spent $1.5 million to lure the Grand Slam of Golf to Bermuda so it's very easy to see that we benefited from a huge return on our investment.

"The goal was to score exposure for our tourism product around the world; clearly that goal was accomplished.

"Millions of people watched and they were inundated with beautiful images and flattering mentions of Bermuda."

The Premier said the 'media value' placed on the event in terms of television coverage was estimated at $7 million by the UK-based research group Comperio Research. Last year's championship was broadcast by TNT to 90 million US homes and an international audience in 100 countries.

Tourism figures this year have suffered however from the US economic slowdown and soaring oil prices, resulting in a reduced service by air carriers to the Island.

According to the Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics on Friday, air arrivals dropped ten percent in the second quarter of this year, to 89,642 people – the lowest they have been since 1980.

Visitor spending fell by $18 million in the second quarter, while resort hotels experienced a decline in occupancy for the fifth consecutive quarter, dropping 13 percent – or 6,077 fewer bookings than in 2007.

The 2008 PGA Grand Slam of Golf takes place at the Mid Ocean Club from October 13 to October 15. The 26th Grand Slam will see Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk join Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington and Masters winner Trevor Immelman on the fairway.

Spectators for the event are limited to 7,500 per day. Mr. Charles said: "This is a good opportunity for close-up viewing and walking inside the fairway with the champions. The only other professional spectator tournament which provides this kind of viewing is the US Amateur Championship."

Tickets can be purchased from Riddells Bay Golf Club, Ocean View Golf Course and the Upstairs Golf and Tennis Shop in Church Street, Hamilton. Alternatively, log onto: www.pga.com or telephone 1-800-742-4653.