Bermuda Government will offer $650 off accommodation to UK visitors at 11 hotels on the Island next year and hopes British Airways reciprocates with a discounted fare.

Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown told Breaking Travel News the initiative illustrated Government's commitment to rebuilding tourism.

He told the website the same initiative cost the Government $4 million last year.

UK visitors booking between December 22, 2009 and January 26, 2010 will get $650 off accommodation costs at 11 hotels on the Island, for travel between April 1 and October 31.

Dr. Brown said: "That may seem like a lot of money, but tourism is the second pillar of our economy and one we are committed to rebuild.

"Rather than spend money on TV commercials on CNN we want to encourage tourism in a more direct way."

The Premier told the UK website Bermuda had suffered badly since the collapse of the low-cost carrier Zoom: "It really hurt us. We saw a 22 percent fall in visitor numbers from the UK."

Dr. Brown declared a meeting with British Airways executive Willie Walsh a sucess, adding they "agreed to try some innovative approaches to marketing, including an emphasis on golf and spas."