Thousands of visitors flocked to the first Destination Dockyard event of the year, according to organisers.

The Tuesday evening initiative ? now in its second year ? is aimed at providing entertainment for cruise ship passengers but Bermuda's residents are also encouraged to attend.

Diane Gordon, executive vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the summer tourism initiative, said about 2,500 people showed up this week's Latin-themed event. She said: "What we are doing is blending the Bermudian entertainers with entertainers from the cruise ship. It's a real mix. It also affords the community in Bermuda a chance to have some sort of interaction with visitors during the summer period. "The first one of the year has just been great. There were people all over the place, enjoying music, dancing, a magic act, juggling and an MC off the ship and a Bermudian MC."

This year, the evenings are being sponsored by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, whose liner was in dock on Tuesday night. Charly McDonald, the company's entertainment and guest activities manager, said: "What a great first night for us. We got a good 500 people out here from the .

"It was a melting pot of guests and Bermudians and there were smiles on their faces."

Destination Dockyard, backed by the Department of Tourism and the West End Development Corporation, runs every Tuesday night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. until September 26.