Tourism Minister David Allen announced to the House yesterday that, due to the "resounding success" of last year's Summer Internship Programme, the scheme had been expanded this year to include internships at all of the Ministry's North American sales offices.

This included internships for students in Boston, Atlanta, and New York, as well as in the Department's British and Canadian offices.

Last year students were placed in all of the Department's international marketing agencies and in the New York sales office.

The Summer Internship Programme, which is aimed at assisting the upward mobility of Bermudians in the hospitality industry, is open to Bermudian students enrolled in hospitality-related college/university programmes.

"As a part of the programme these students, who have been placed in either our overseas sales offices or at one of our international marketing agencies, for a two-month period will become part of the Bermuda team and assigned projects that are directly related to the marketing of Bermuda," said Mr. Allen.

"The students will experience first hand specific aspects of the tactical implementation of the Bermuda sales and marketing plan as executed by the sales office or agency partner," he added.

As interns, the students receive a weekly salary as well as a per diem allowance. The Department of Tourism underwrites the cost of return air fare and provides accommodations for the entire two month period.

Mr. Allen told the House that the programme was "a precedent that this Government is pleased to have set for Bermuda".

The major agencies involved in the process, he added, included public relations, advertising and marketing agencies in the United States, and a sales and marketing agency in London, England.

Mr. Allen stated: "Government is committed to being a catalyst in the development of human resources of the hospitality industry, whether in the public or private sectors, so that we can increase the career opportunities for Bermudians, and deliver thoroughly professional standards of service to our valued visitors.

"By maximising the opportunities for our bright young Bermudian stars we are not only broadening some very exciting career opportunities, but providing still more shining role models for the Bermuda hospitality industry, and at the same time ensuring that we are continuing to raise the standards and levels of professionalism in that industry still farther."

Eight students are taking part in the programme in the summer of 2002:

Ms Latoya Bean, studying towards a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing at Howard University in Washington, has been assigned to the Tourism Department's Atlanta office.

Zeudi Hinds, who holds a Master's degree in Advertising from Syracuse University, has been assigned to the Arnold McGrath Marketing Agency in New York.

Allyson Francis, studying at the Bermuda College, has been assigned to the Ministry's Boston sales office.

Alastair Lang, studying towards a Marketing Management Degree at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, England, has been assigned to the CiB - Bermuda tourism in London.

Imani Myers, studying a Bachelors of Commerce degree at the University of Guelph, has been assigned to the Tourism New York sales office.

Shiona Turini, a continuing student at Hampton University studying a Mass Media Degree, has been assigned to the Lou Hammond public relations office in New York.

Jamal Smith, studying a Bachelor of Science Hospitality Management Degree at the University of Central Florida, has been assigned to Brann Baltimore.

Charles Rawlins, studying a Business Administration/Marketing Degree at George Brown College, has been assigned to the Ministry's Canadian office.