Premier Ewart Brown has wrapped up a three-city tour of the United States to plug Bermuda's tourism product to industry experts.

Dr. Brown visited New York, Philadelphia and Boston to stress the delights of visiting the Island during its 400th anniversary year.

He told the audience in Philadelphia that in lean times, it proves a cost-effective option for business trips and conventions due to its proximity to the east coast of the United States.

"In business, time is money, and it takes a lot longer to get to Hawaii, or the Caribbean for that matter," he noted.

He also gave a rundown of projects in the pipeline including the new Park Hyatt Resort planned for the site of the former Club Med Hotel due to break ground this year and the re-opening of the Port Royal Golf Course in June. He also plugged events such as the Music Festival and Tall Ships Challenge slated for later this year.

Dr. Brown enthused: "In less than two hours you can arrive in an environment as naturally beautiful as the Caribbean, as sophisticated as London, as safe as your own living room and as seemingly close as Atlantic City."