Schoolchildren are being asked to look at the Island with fresh eyes and plan a day's fun in Bermuda for youngsters their own age as part of a tourism essay competition.

The annual Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) competition has as its theme this year: "Bermuda Through My Eyes."Organisers are hoping schoolchildren will imagine what a young first-time tourist could do on a visit to Bermuda.

The top prize in the competition, which is open to pupils in the 7-10, 11-14, and 15-18 year category, is a laptop computer.

Applications must be submitted in the drop-in box at City Hall by April 19 and the prize ceremony will take place on April 25. VIP week, which runs from April 20-26, is designed to highlight all the good work done in tourism and to attract young Bermudians into the industry.

It kicks off on Saturday April 20 with a clean-up day at Warwick Long Bay, followed on Sunday by a five kilometre fun walk or run around Sonesta Beach Hotel and Cross Bay with the annual Hotel Olympic competition where hotel staff compete against each other in fun beach games. Prizes include American Airline and Air Canada tickets.

Throughout the week, schools will given tours around hotels, St. George's will have a visitor appreciation day, and there will be a forum to discuss tourism.

The week culminates with the black tie Hotelier of the Year Award dinner sponsored by Bermuda Hotel Association at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on April 27.