Shadow Tourism Minister Michael Dunkley yesterday said Premier Ewart Brown has taken the meaning of "official business" to a new level after racking up $320,000 in travel expenses in one year.

Dr. Brown and his team splashed out $53,000 on ground transport alone in 2008/09, with the Premier getting about in what is thought to be luxurious SUVs on the Bermuda public purse.

The Premier alone spent $16,000 travelling around Washington, DC for President Barack Obama's inaugural ceremony in January.

Reacting yesterday, the United Bermuda Party Senate leader noted the Premier spent 95 days off the Island on "official business" — an average of two trips per month.

"Clearly this is a Premier who likes to spend time abroad," said Sen. Dunkley.

"While it is important for Bermuda's Premier to represent the Island, it is clear this Premier has taken the meaning of 'official business' to a new level.

"We note a number of trips to attend PGA meetings, although there is no record listed that the Premier was at the 2009 Masters Tournament, an enthusiasm for awards ceremonies and don't forget the all-important 'Bayou Classic' football game in New Orleans.

"In all but one trip the Premier was accompanied by an entourage, usually including his press secretary and/or his Chief of Staff.

"The Premier clearly has the travel bug. We are also aware of frequent unofficial flights abroad, but these are not a matter of public record.

"This is a lot of travel for a Premier and it is up to the public to decide if they are getting bang for their buck.

"In the past, the Official Gazette kept the public informed whenever the Premier was due to be off the Island and stating that his or her deputy would be Acting Premier until the Premier's return.

"That practice appears to have ceased, or it simply has not been able to keep up with Dr. Brown's wanderlust. One way or another, it is an example of the loss of transparency in the Government."

Dr. Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones has refused to say how the Premier gets about when he's overseas on official business, but Royal Gazette reporters have seen him getting in and out of large black SUVs with shaded windows.

The figures show Dr. Brown and entourage spent more than $20,000 on a nine-day trip to Florida and a conference in Turks and Caicos, about one month after Dr. Brown announced plans to reduce Ministers' travel costs.

That spending included more than $3,000 by Dr. Brown on ground transport.

Meanwhile, the Premier's airfare bill for a trip to New York in April was $1,914, compared to $852 for Junior Tourism Minister Marc Bean on the same trip; and Dr. Brown's airfare for a trip to Georgia for a PGA meeting this February was $1,848.

Those trips came a few months after the Premier announced he and his Ministers would be travelling coach class for trips that are three hours or less, in the light of the global economic downturn.

Mr. Jones has refused to say whether Dr. Brown has stuck to that pledge.

The total breakdown for 2008/09, revealed in Parliamentary Responses to questions by Opposition leader Kim Swan, was: $168,353 on airfare; $82,876 on accommodation; $4,568 on meals; $53,034 on ground transport; $11,940 per diem (extras); total $320,772.