An increased focus is being placed on social media and the Internet to market Bermuda as a destination, according to Minister of Tourism Wayne Furbert.“We continue to look at the way our customers like to communicate with us and with each other. In today’s world, there is no doubt that social media has exploded and continues to grow,” he noted as he revealed statistics from last year.“In December, we launched our new blog, used to spotlight local activities, events, testimonials and profiles in a personal, narrative fashion. Our Facebook audience has grown to 12,000 fans; a 90 percent year-over-year increase.”He added that the Department’s Twitter feed gained 1,304 followers during 2011; a 153 percent increase over the year before.“Recognising that a picture is worth a thousand words, we have also increased the number of photos available on our Flickr channel to 347 in 2011, allowing us to display the natural beauty of our Island and highlight local events and businesses,” he said.“As a result of increased activity and sharing of these photos across our social channels, we saw over 15,000 views in the month of December alone.”Other efforts included 13 videos created by the Department and published to Bermuda’s YouTube channel and a winter 50 percent off sale supported by a publicity campaign which included mass e-mails and newspaper, radio and website advertising.Mr Furbert said: “Our destination broadcast advertising is in full swing with 277 TV spots running through the month of February and newspaper and magazine ads that are reaching more than 17 million consumers.“We’re capturing the eyes of commuters as well, through creatively wrapped streetcars and trolleys in Boston and Toronto which will be hard to miss with their colourful designs.”He also hinted that Bermuda will feature in a popular TV show in future, although he declined to give details.“We will continue to seek high profile publicity opportunities and we are currently working to finalise an extremely popular network television programme to shoot in Bermuda with the potential to reach more than 14 million viewers,” he said.He promised to reveal further details in due course, hinting that the show will appeal to female viewers in particular.“I’m going to invite you back for that,” he told members of the media at his press conference. “Invite as many females as you want.”