Cash allocated to the Ministry of Tourism has fallen slightly compared to last year, but Minister Renee Webb said the cash is now being better spent.

Tourism will be given $35,697,000 for 2004/05, down $223,000 on the current financial year.

Ms Webb said she had no complaints about the allocation and said the money will be directed at gateway cities in the United States identified in consultant Elliott Ettenberg?s report.

New initiatives this year will include a golf plan, involving an upgrading of the Island?s three public courses, and Port Royal is to get a new irrigation system.

Private courses have also supported the need to allow golfers to book tee times more then 48 hours in advance.

Ms Webb said yesterday: ?We are sticking to zero-based budgeting. We are committed to looking at current funding and seeing how we can spend differently and more cost-effectively.

?We are also working more with our industry partners in the private sector through Bermuda Alliance for Tourism.

?With the budget we have, we can effectively address the issues facing us. I have no concerns about the money allocated.?

One area of focus will be improving entertainment to increase the experience of cruise passengers who have complained there is little to do onshore, said Ms Webb

Talks are being held with hoteliers about improving entertainment, which would also benefit hotel guests.

?One of the major complaints is that people want more to do, and if we want them to spend more, we have to give them more to do,? she said.

Marketing activity will be measured month by month to ensure the Island gets best value.

Tourism has also transferred responsibility for some cultural and sporting events to Community Affairs and Sport.

The events include the Gombey Revue, Beat the Retreat Ceremony, Harbour Nights entertainment, walking tours, the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, International Race Weekend, and the Rendezvous bowling tournament.

Unveiling the Tourism budget (which was tied in with E-Commerce and Telecommunications for a total ministry budget of $43.4 million, Finance Minister Paula Cox said the North American operations had been re-organised to concentrate on gateway cities such as Toronto, Halifax, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, Charlotte, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and New York.

?This will increase the visibility of Bermuda and help drive conversion to Bermuda from these key gateway markets,? said Ms Cox.

?All communications will be focused into Bermuda?s gateway markets, therefore increasing exposure significantly in the regions that are serviced by direct air lift.

?Marketing dollars will be allocated within each region based on the total population, air capacity and historical arrival data.

?A majority of the marketing budget will be spent during the peak visitation period for Bermuda respecting the six to eight week booking period. Television and newspaper travel section advertising will dominate the media schedule.?