Junior Minister Marc Bean outlined the impact of the current financial climate on tourism during a debate in the Senate.

During Wednesday's Senate session Sen. Bean said the tourism industry could be in for another rough year: "As the current troubled economic scenario is expected to continue well into 2009 and probably beyond, the World Tourism Organisation's initial forecast for this year is for an even more modest performance.

"According to the January 2009 issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism is expected to stagnate or even decline slightly during the year. But, there is still a high degree of uncertainty and much will depend on the evolving economic conditions."

But Sen. Bean said the Ministry was doing its best and aimed to maintain the 2008 level of visitor arrivals, increase cruise arrivals and the number of hotel beds on the Island.

He said Government planned to meet these goals by concentrating its marketing and sales efforts on the North East coast of the United States, increased emphasis on digital marketing, offering cruise ship concessions and solidifying the sales process in conjunction with its hotel partners.

During the session, which focused on the Ministry of Tourism's budget, Opposition Senator Michael Dunkley said he respected the Premier's level of commitment and energy in tourism and said it was important the industry not become politicised. He added that the Opposition was committed to working with the Government to help one of the Island's main economic pillars succeed.

In particular he urged to Government to improve its marketing strategy and get Bermuda back into the minds of Americans on the East Coast.

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes noted that the Ministry's budget has been reduced by $10 million over the last two years, while other smaller departments such as Transport Control Department has seen its rise $3 million during the same period.

He said: "Some how we have got to prioritise, cutting money in the Tourism budget while TCD rises doesn't make sense.

"We have seen visitor numbers go down and maybe it's because we aren't spending as much?"

Government Senator Walton Brown said it was important to target high net worth individuals.

Regarding Government's recent announcement that it had signed a $500,000 sponsorship deal with the Boston Red Sox, Opposition Senator Jeanette Atherden asked what the sponsorship entitled Bermuda to.

Sen. Bean said the sponsorship paid for adverts on NESN during all home games as well as advertisements at the stadium.