Faith-based tourism boss Andre Curtis yesterday claimed his religious get-togethers have pulled 1,500 visitors to Bermuda so far this financial year.

Mr. Curtis revealed the estimated figure after repeatedly being accused of failing to attract enough tourists despite receiving hundreds of thousands of taxpayers' dollars to run the initiative.

He said more than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the latest event — two performances featuring award-winning American Gospel singer CeCe Winans at St. Paul AME Church, Hamilton, today and tomorrow.

Large parts of the crowd will be locals, but Mr. Curtis said many will be from the US, though he was unable to say how many.

He pledged that an accurate total number of tourists for the six faith-based tourism events so far in 2007-08 would be available next week.

Referring to the CeCe Winans concerts, Mr. Curtis said: "Tickets are going very well, we've sold about 1,000 including a lot from overseas. I didn't know she was so popular. If I had to guess why, I'd say it's her life. She carries her life over to blacks and whites."

News of Ms Winans' visit to Bermuda sparked confusion earlier this year when the Department of Tourism promoted it on its website — only to delete the details after the singer's booking coordinator said she was scheduled to perform in Georgia on the same date.

That prompted some people to claim under-fire Mr. Curtis had advertised the event before it was confirmed in a desperate attempt to silence critics who were asking what he had lined up.

According to a draft copy of his contract, Mr. Curtis, who runs Premier Ewart Brown's constituency in Warwick South Central, is contracted to receive $400,000 for faith-based tourism this financial year. Both deny the scheme is being used as a way for the Premier to get cash to Mr. Curtis as a thank you gesture.

Under the terms of the contract, Mr. Curtis is required to organise ten events in 2007-08, luring a total 2,200 tourists to Bermuda.

Mr. Curtis, who last month said he was moved to tears by the way God was helping him run faith-based tourism, yesterday maintained the criticism did not hurt him.

"People are hungry," he said. "I sense a shifting in Bermuda. I sense it in the spirit, the moral integrity. That's what these events are for.

"With all of the attacks that have come against me, this has been one of my greatest years ever. I turn over to God. I keep doing what I believe he's calling me to do."

Cece Winans has won numerous Grammy and Stellar awards, with Government's website describing her as an "awesome talent".

Show times are 7 p.m. today and 5 p.m. tomorrow. Gates will open 30 minutes before show time. Tickets priced $30 are available at the Christian Bookstore and Gift Centre, 27th Century Boutique and the Family Boutique in St. George's. For more information visit www.bermudatourism.com or call 292-7215.