An AME elder is to help run Government's faith-based tourism initiative from the Bermuda Department of Tourism's New York office.

Emily-Gail Dill has been transferred to the US from the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts for the scheme, because of her connections within the American religious community.

She will also be working on projects including the Bermuda Music Festival and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which organisers hope will bring golf superstar Tiger Woods in the same month.

It comes after Government has faced weeks of questioning over its faith-based tourism scheme, in which Andre Curtis is contracted to receive $400,000 taxpayers' money by bringing 2,200 tourists to the Island over a 12-month period.

The Opposition United Bermuda Party has claimed Premier Ewart Brown has used the initiative as a means of getting cash to Mr. Curtis as a thank you gesture for being his political campaign manager in Warwick South Central — a suggestion both deny.

Mr. Curtis hit back at his critics by advertising a list of ten events he has set up in The Royal Gazette last week, including a Gospel Concert with multi-award winning singer CeCe Winans at the Fairmont Southampton in November.

A Department of Tourism spokeswoman said Mrs. Dill's appointment did not mean the budget for faith-based tourism would be increased.

"Mrs. Dill will execute her many talents in this new role, not least of which is her ordained elder status within the AME Church," said the spokeswoman.

"It is expected that she will bring to bear considerable experience and contacts in the US religious community and will no doubt assist in advancing the faith-based initiative. However, her duties will stretch far beyond faith-based tourism.

"There has been no increase in the budget for faith-based tourism, but the goal remains the same — increase the number of visitors to Bermuda."

She insisted there were no plans to privatise the New York office, adding: "The Ministry is constantly seeking ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department so that it can deliver on its mandate of driving visitors to Bermuda's shores."

Former Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert, who has led the questioning of Mr. Curtis' handling of faith-based tourism, has also accused the Premier of using the initiative to gain political brownie points from the church community.

Dr. Brown dismissed the claims when they were first aired last month, and has declined to comment further outside of the Parliamentary process.