The St. George's Foundation has not been spared from financial hurdles faced by charities across the Island, Hamilton Rotarians heard.

The organisation has raised more than $10 million over the past decade funds spent on developing St. George's as a prime historic and tourism attraction.

However, this year has seen fewer visitors to the area's museums and therefore less revenue, executive director Sharon Jacobs told the Rotary Club on Tuesday.

"We will be looking at our strategic plans to re-evaluate our revenue streams for fundraising and how we can continue to make our product exciting and encouraging for our students, our visitors and all local residents to come visit us.

"[We will be looking at] specifically the World Heritage Centre and Deliverance, but really the whole town of St. George's, which has a lot to offer."

She encouraged people to take advantage of special promotions including a raffle with a $10,000 travel voucher prize.

Meanwhile, current members who encourage friends or family to join the Foundation have a chance of winning a four-day stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston.

Past fundraising efforts have enabled the World Heritage Centre to be established in time – and on budget – for the Island's 400th anniversary.

It has also allowed streets and alleys to be paved with brick, the promenade to be widened and the creation of a fund for derelict properties in St. George's.

The Foundation was established as a registered charity in 1997. Its efforts extend to educating persons on the history of St. George's.

According to Mrs. Jacobs, its biggest accomplishment was in 2000 when the town and its related fortifications were recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Bermuda to have, within the Country, such a prestigious site. As many of you know, there are some 800 sites worldwide and the whole goal of UNESCO sites is for these sites to be treasured for the world and for future generations."