Premier Ewart Brown has indefinitely postponed a relationship-building trip to the Azores in a bid to "trim the fat" on Government travel.

The Premier says he wants to lead by example as the Island braces itself for cost-cutting during the global economic downturn.

His official visit to Ponta Delgada had been lined up to strengthen ties between the Portuguese community in Bermuda and their counterparts in the Azores.

However, Dr. Brown yesterday wrote to Ponta Delgada Mayor Berta Maria Cabral: "Just last night I gave an address to my country on the difficult economic conditions Governments are facing all over the world.

"I promised them the most senior officials in Government will do their part to consistently trim the fat on spending, including travel.

"Therefore I must lead by example and postpone the official visit to Ponta Delgada.

"I want to make it clear that my desire to further strengthen ties between Portugal — particularly the Azores — and Bermuda remains very high on the list of priorities for this office.

"We have a valued Portuguese community in Bermuda and we want them to know their Government officials are keenly interested in connecting their current homeland with their former homeland."

Dr. Brown's trip was scheduled to follow his Overseas Territories Consultative Council meetings in London next week.

In a televised speech on Monday night, the Premier said he and his Ministers would now be travelling by coach class for trips that are three hours or less.

Budget figures reveal Government travel has trebled in a decade, from $2.2 million in 1998/99 to $7.4 million this year.