Premier Ewart Brown yesterday announced a deal with the New York Mets that will help market Bermuda as a tourist destination.

The deal includes a "Feel the Love Grand Slam Inning" announced to the hometown crowd and "Feel the Love" branding posted on the big scoreboard. If any Mets player hits a grand slam during that inning, a fan in the stands will win a trip for two to Bermuda.

In addition to that, there will be rotating television spots near the concession stands, concourse signage throughout the stadium and advertising spreads in the Mets Yearbook and Mets Magazine.

The cost of the deal with the Mets was not revealed yesterday.

"This partnership with the New York Mets puts us in a very strong marketing position, in a market that Bermuda Tourism cherishes the most — New York City.

"More visitors come to Bermuda from New York than any place else in the world. So we are well positioned now, with the help of the New York Mets, to grow that market even more," said Dr. Brown.

He added: "On average SNY, the Mets TV broadcaster, brings in 350,000 to 450,000 viewers for each of its games.

"During the upcoming season SportNet New York will air 30-second commercials during the game, during the post-game show, and during other SNY programming.

"Bermuda Tourism will also have a presence with the Mets online products like MetsBlog.com and SNY.TV. We will also be able to reach Mets season ticket holders via e-mail.

"Our tourism product is coming off a year of steady growth — and the New York Mets tell a similar story. While we saw an increase in air and cruise arrivals last year, the Mets saw an increase in fans and ticket sales.

"The Mets home attendance is up to an average of 48,000 people per game, a 10 percent increase over the previous year.

"In fact attendance at Shea Stadium has been climbing steadily each year since 2003. And this year is the final season at Shea Stadium, where they assure me attendance will top four million for the first time ever!"

He added: "Critics who worry Bermuda tourism is not fishing where the fish are should have their concerns allayed once and for all. We are bringing an aggressive marketing strategy into the heart of our bread and butter market."

There were two Met representatives, Greg Stangel, Director of Corporate Sales for the New York Mets and Brett Ehrlich, National Sales Manager for Sports Net New York, present at yesterday's announcement.

Mr. Stangel said: "Our goal is to turn every Mets fan into a fan of Bermuda."

He then presented the Premier with an official Met's jersey and hat.