Eight teenagers will tonight go head to head in a battle to be named Bermuda's Youth Tourism Minister.

The youngsters have fought off competition from dozens of entrants who threw their hats into the ring for the prestigious role.

In tonight's final at Fairmont Southampton Princess, each will have to answer questions in a boardroom-style pressure situation to show how they could handle the job, which will involve attending key tourism meetings in the Caribbean and speaking at events across Bermuda.

Judges will announce the winner late in the evening. The eight finalists are Archer Hill, 15; Nikki Lynn-Marshall, 15; Kijaun Millett, 15; Priya Ratteray, 16; Alyssa Rose, 15; Lela Sujani 14; Richard Tucker, 17; and Kascia White, 16.

Bermuda High School student Nikki told The Royal Gazette why she is taking part.

"It gives the youth an opportunity to get their ideas to be heard and taken into consideration," she said.

Kascia, from Bermuda Institute, explained what she will do if she wins: "I would help bring more entertainment for youths, to help increase the tourism market on the Island."

Saltus pupil Richard pointed to a problem with tourism on the Island. He said: "There are not enough Bermudians involved in tourism. To counter that, I would change the curriculum to include more tourism, so youths can get more of a feel about the industry."

Kijaun, from Warwick Academy, said: "Not enough Bermudians really care about it. They don't see it as an opportunity. If we explain it, we can really change that."

Gladstone Thompson, principal at Southampton Glebe Primary School, who is helping organise the contest, explained its significance to the future of tourism in Bermuda.

"If we are not careful, we are going to spend too much energy attracting our young people into international business," he said.

"We are trying to do our best to take them into the tourism industry, to see whether they can make a valuable contribution to it. Tourism is a viable option; it's an opportunity where they can do very well.

"People still look at tourism as bar tenders or maids, but you can be managers of hotels and move throughout the world."

The final starts at 6.30 p.m.