message straight into the heart of the Island's major market.

Premier Jennifer Smith and Tourism Minister David Allen will lead the charge to four cities as they blitz the Americans with a road show.

Boston, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia will be bombarded with a slice of Bermuda.

The Bermuda Regiment, Gombey dancers and the Bermuda Strollers will join hoteliers and other tourism representatives during the first face to face promotion in the US for many years.

Following the UK tourism marketplace held last month in London, Frankfurt and Milan, the five-day tour takes place next week.

Mr. Allen is hoping publicity events and dinners designed to give a flavour of the Island will woo travel agents and high profile media writers.

He said: "The show is the first such event to be staged in North America by Bermuda for many years, and certainly the most ambitious ever.

"It is the biggest event we have ever done and never before has a Premier gone along.

"It is intended to raise the curtain to the new season in the most emphatic manner possible, and will also presage the start of Bermuda's new advertising campaign in North America.

"And it is intended re-launch the tourism industry in the most spectacular fashion possible -- signalling dramatically that Bermuda tourism is back in business.'' The four target cities lie at the heart of the Island's US market and the tour will give hoteliers and other guest property operators the chance to link up with some of the major players in the industry.

Already demand for tickets has soared and in Boston alone 300 people are expected.

At each venue, guests will be entertained and fed in Bermuda fashion, with addresses by Ms Smith, Mr. Allen and Bermuda Hotel Association executive director John Harvey.

In New York, the function will be held at the renowned Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

In addition to a luncheon for the American travel press, Bermudian entertainers will be seen at city venues.