The Department of Tourism has launched its advertising blitz in the US promoting next month's prestigious World Conference of Mayors.

And tourism bosses are so keen to make the conference a success they could plough extra money into the event in a bid to attract more Afro-American visitors to the Island.

Last night Department of Tourism director Gary Phillips confirmed the campaign hit the US media at the end of last week in a series of radio and newspaper campaigns. The publicity is being backed up by e-mail and direct mailing.

But he agreed that the campaign would have been more effective had it not been delayed. The department was forced to produce the campaign after controversial organiser, Bonnie Marshall, failed to come up with her own plan, which was to be sponsored by Government.

"Everything's now in full swing,'' Mr. Phillips explained. We have negotiated a new agreement with the World Conference of Mayors where we would provide a new marketing plan which would have their approval. That approval has now been executed in conjunction with the integrated marketing agencies and the marketing campaign has now begun.

Ads push Bermuda Washington Boston and Philadelphia, spots on the National Black Network radio programme, a direct marketing follow up to World Conference Of Mayors mailings and Afro-American associations being e-mailed.

"Our experience would suggest that it's a well designed programme and we have the approval of the WCOM so we feel it's going to make an impact.

"It's a little early to talk about figures. I think it's fair to say that, particularly from our experience we would have preferred to have been in the market a lot earlier, which we could have been had we had this marketing report from Bonnie Marshall.'' Mr. Phillips argued that the campaign illustrated the department's firm commitment to open up the Afro American market and bring more black Americans to the Island. The department has already forked out $35,000 to Ms Marshall for promotional work and the bill for its own campaign could exceed the allotted $65,000 originally set aside to pay for Ms Marshall's campaign.

Mr. Phillips also dismissed allegations made by a representative of Ms Marshall that Bermuda will be seen as "a civil rights pariah'' because of its treatment of the controversial US promoter.

Last week event sponsors Bermuda Forum CEO Corin Smith said: "There is statistical and anecdotal evidence that the Bermuda Department of Tourism has a track record of systematically discriminating against Afro-American travellers, organisations and agencies''.

But last night Mr. Phillips replied by saying: "I would really rather not comment on anything that Corin Smith has had to say.

"But this campaign is within the budget and, because this is an opportunity to speak to the entire Afro-American community, there may be an opportunity to invest additional funds.

"Our mandate is to market Bermuda to the Afro-American market using this conference as a vehicle.

"Contrary to some reports we have always been and always will be interested in developing programmes that will appeal to the Afro-American community.'' TOURISM TOU