Top executives flying from New York to Bermuda can now up the ante as far as comfort and prestigious travel goes because a direct helicopter link from Manhattan to JFK Airport is to commence later this month.

The news was revealed during a whirlwind tourism road show by Bermuda's Tourism Ministry to three major American cities this week.

And the road shows are reported to have gone so well that Tourism Minister Ewart Brown has been gifted a Boeing 757 airliner ? albeit a scale model.

The new helicopter service is being run by US Helicopters and will provide a direct link from Manhattan Downtown Heliport to American Airlines' concourse at JFK. Passengers will be able to check in their baggage and clear security at the heliport before setting off for the airport.

"The US Helicopter service should be a welcome feature for executives representing, and visiting, Bermuda's significant insurance and financial sectors," said American Airlines in a statement.

Drumming up enthusiasm and interest for Bermuda and its Feel The Love marketing campaign was the aim of Deputy Premier Dr. Brown and his team as they visited Boston, New York and Philadelphia this week.

He was accompanied by representatives of the Bermuda Hotel Association and from a number of Bermuda's leading hotels and resorts who were able to meet travel agents in the North American gateway cities.

Dr. Brown was presented in New York with a model of an American Airlines 757 aircraft mounted on a plaque to mark the company's appreciation to the Department of Tourism for allowing it to provide 30 years of air service to the Island.

"American Airlines has been a terrific partner with Bermuda, having served us well and faithfully and we look forward to a continued strong relationship," said Dr. Brown.

Over the years the airline has supported numerous charities, organisations and schools on the Island and its Atlantic, Caribbean and Latin American sales manager John Lisiewski said: "We are looking forward to another 30 years of support and cooperation with this wonderful country."

The Bermuda Department of Tourism's "Feel The Love" celebration tour has been promoting to North American travel agents Bermuda's latest news and developments, particularly regarding new air services and hotel improvements.