Bermuda...you're invited to a week of festivities to celebrate the importance of Tourism in Bermuda.

The tenth annual Tourism Appreciation Week kicks off on Saturday and organisers promise the event will be bigger and better than ever before.

Under the theme, "Bermuda.. .you're invited,'' industry officials hope to rally locals around one of the main pillars of Bermuda's economy.

"The whole week is basically a `thank you' for visitors and Bermudians and to recognise the importance of Tourism in Bermuda,''said Hospitality Professionals Association (HPA) president David Kenny.

"It was initially hosted by the HPA,'' explained Stacey Evans, of the Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP). "It grew by leaps and bounds so the HPA called on the VIP to help coordinate, facilitate and administer the event.

"Now it is bigger and better than ever before.'' With the help of the Chamber of Commerce, the Corporations of Hamilton and St.

George's, the Bermuda International Business Association and Dockyard, organisers have arranged a series of fun-filled events.

"A lot of this has been put together with children in mind,'' said Ms Evans.

"Dockyard has put together a musical showcase for Saturday, April 17. There will also be an exhibition on display called the `100 Days of the PLP'.'' The festivities move to Flatts on Sunday, April 18 as runners and walkers lace up for the `Round de Sound Fun Walk/Run.

Ms Evans also said that the Island's churches will hold special Sunday services with sermons that highlight the importance of Tourism.

On Sunday afternoon, the Island's top chefs cook off in a culinary competition at Dockyard.

"There will be a `Food is Art' mini culinary competition as well as a bartenders' competition,'' Ms Evans explained. "There will also be a kids' scavenger hunt, a puppet show and train rides.'' And the revelry will spill into the streets on Wednesday, April 21 thanks to the Hamilton Fun Street Festival.

"It will be similar to Harbour Nights, but completely different,'' said Ms Evans. "There will be an international food fair at Number One Shed and a Kids' Carnival at Number Five car park. There will also be a Hotelympics on Front Street, complete with bed races.'' A Boat Raft-Up will ensure that the merriment will not be contained to the street alone, she said.

"The Tourist Boat members of the Chamber of Commerce are going to get together and have a raft-up,'' she explained.

Students will take centre stage on Thursday, April 22, on the steps of City Hall when Premier Jennifer Smith, honours the winners of the School Essay Writing Competition.

Friday, April 23, the East End of the Island will come alive thanks to a special Fun Night in St. George's.

"Ordnance Island will be turned into a food court,'' Ms Evans explained.

"There will be a Haunted Walking Tour by Lantern, historical reenactments and a Children's Costume Dress-Up Tour.'' Throughout the week, various individuals who work in the industry will be spotlighted in The Royal Gazette .

Tourism Appreciation Week will come to a close on Saturday, April 24 with the annual Hotelier of the Year Black Tie Banquet. This year the event will take place at Fourways Inn in Paget.

"There will be a fabulous menu and great entertainment,'' said Mr. Kenny.

"This year it is going to be bigger and better than ever before.'' The annual Hotelier of the Year, Sunshine and Hospitality Person of the Year awards will also be presented at the event.

The $90 tickets can be obtained from the VIP or the Rosemont Guest Apartments in Pembroke.

Tourism Appreciation Week Schedule Here are the scheduled events for Tourism Appreciation Week 1999: Saturday, April 17 Musical Showcase at Dockyard, 7 to 10 p.m. which will highlight Bermudian entertainers and composers. Lifetime Achievement Award for a musician. Opening of Photographic Art Exhibition `100 Days of the PLP' by Tamell Simons.

Sunday, April 18 Round de Sound 7-mile Run and Walk, 9 a.m. (8 a.m. for walkers) at the Palmetto Bay Hotel in Flatts. T-shirts to all participants. Winner receives certificates and there will be a grand draw for two American Airlines tickets.

Entry fee, $12 walkers, $15 runners, forms available at all sports shops.

Special Church services will be held around the Island with sermons highlighting the importance of Tourism in Bermuda.

West End Fun Day, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Activities include `Food is Art' culinary exhibition, scavenger hunt for kids and historical train tours, puppet show, opening of children's playground.

Wednesday, April 21 Hamilton Fun Street Festival, 6 to 10 p.m. Activities include Hotelympics, Soca and Reggae performances, kids carnival, craft vendors, cultural food tasting, boat raft-up and gombeys.

Thursday, April 22 School Essay Competition, noon at City Hall in Hamilton. The Premier will honour the winners of the contest. Entries will be displayed for the public; Friday, April 23 Fun Night in St. George's, 5 to 9 p.m. Activities include haunted walking tour by lantern, children's costume dress-up tour, Ordnance Island food court, and historical re-enactment.

Saturday, April 24 Hotelier of the Year Black Tie Banquet at Fourways Inn in Paget. Hotelier of the Year, Hospitality Person of the Year and Sunshine Awards will be presented.

And the winner is ?: The winners of the Hotelier of the Year award, the Hotelympics award (held by Stacey Evans of VIP, left), the Hospitality Person of the Year award (held by David Kenny of HPA, centre) and the Sunshine Award (held by Suzanne DeCouto of VIP, right) will be announced at a gala banquet on April 24 to close Tourism Appreciation Week.