Bermuda's tourist trade could be set for a major boom -- from Las Vegas.

Tourism officials are already fixing up talks with the managers of a massive new Bermuda-theme casino and hotel just outside the home of gambling.

They want to meet the owners of the complex to discuss ways of boosting Bermuda's flagging tourism industry.

And one idea is to flood the hotel with hundreds of brochures advertising Bermuda's charms.

The Royal Gazette revealed details of the River Palms Resort in Laughlin, Nevada, yesterday.

Tycoon owner Allen Paulson, one of the world's richest men, is decking out his 1,054 staff in Bermuda shorts and jackets. He is also filling the hotel with Bermuda palms and plants -- and selling Bermuda food and drink in a $20 million redesign.

Company President Bob Kelley said last night he would welcome any opportunity to work with Bermuda's tourism department.

He said: "We really want to speak to them. The idea about possibly stocking Bermuda brochures and leaflets is a good one.'' Charles Webb, public relations manager for the Department of Tourism, said he would pass on details about the casino to the Bermuda tourism office in New York City.

Manhattan-based officials will then be asked to contact Mr. Kelley to discuss possible ways of advertising Bermuda to River Palms guests.

"It's a 1,000-room hotel and we don't want our brochures to just get thrown in the trash,'' said Mr. Webb. "That would serve no useful purpose.

"We don't give them away lightly. But if there can be some method behind it we will try to arrange something through our sales people.

"We can't just give the brochures away if there will be no follow-up. So there would be some work to do first, although I'm sure something could be worked out.

"The casino's telephone number will be passed on to our New York office and we will take it from there and see what develops.

"A lot of places in America have a Bermuda name or theme. The River Palms obviously wanted to have a sophisticated casino so they did the best thing and modelled it on Bermuda.

"There's a Bermuda bar in Virginia and a Bermuda limousine service in New York City. There are also restaurants and other examples and none of it harms our tourist industry.

"The more Bermuda is advertised and the more Bermuda's name is mentioned, the better.'' Gombey troupe leader Louise Beckett has already contacted Mr. Kelley with a view to performing at the hotel.

She said the Places New Generation Gombey Troupe, on North Shore Road in Pembroke, had already posted off a promotional video to the River Palms.

Tourism boom from Vegas "I thought it would be most appropriate to get in touch with Mr. Kelley,'' she added.

"I'm sure they are familiar with the Gombeys as representatives of the Island. We are one of Bermuda's largest groups and we already do a lot of hotel work.'' San Diego multi-millionaire Mr. Paulson is the man whose money built the River Palms, which is being repainted in pastel colours. The 75-year-old is the owner of legendary racehorse Cigar and breeds more thoroughbreds than anybody in the world except Sheikh Mohammed.

A World War Two Air Force pilot, he built up his massive empire by operating business flights across the US in the post-war era. He now owns Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest commercial business jet firm in the US. Miss Bermuda and her first and second runners-up have already been invited to be guests of honour at the hotel's grand opening on October 12.