awards to honour hospitality heroes.

Tourism officials are hoping Caribbean vacations and cruises, together with an investment fund and the chance to show off brilliance will see a massive entry for the inaugural Visitor Industry Partnership Excellence Awards.

And for the winners in the 15 categories, there is the chance to represent Bermuda at overseas tourism conventions and become a role model -- enticing youngsters into a hospitality career.

Launching the award scheme this week, Tourism Minister David Allen said the awards were part of Government's intention to re-invent Bermuda tourism.

"The movers and shakers in our visitor industry will be appreciated, recognised and hopefully inspired to rise to even greater heights,'' he said.

"That way, everyone will ultimately be a winner -- the industry, employees and our valued visitors.'' Entrants for the scheme, which will culminate in a gala awards banquet, can be nominated by fellow workers, management, the general public and visitors.

The categories cover every aspect of the tourism industry, including sections for front of house, waiting staff, entertainment, services, backroom workers, transportation, young people and retail.

In addition, the winners of the 15 sections will be put forward for the Minister of Tourism's Best of the Best Award -- and the chance to win a $20,000 investment in the Bank of Butterfield's Money Market Fund.

The category winners will receive trophies and either a cruise holiday or land-based vacation for two.

Drop boxes for entries will be located around the Island by the end of this month, with a closing date of October 22.

An eight-strong judging panel will select three nominees in each category and the winners will be announced at the gala ceremony held at the Southampton Princess on November 27.

Promoting excellence: Visitor Industry Partnership chairman Eugene Blakeney, Tourism Minister David Allen, and VIP organiser Stacey Evans at the launch of the new VIP Excellence Awards at the Hamilton Princess.

AWARDS AWD