Opposition Leader Kim Swan has questioned why Government has withdrawn funding from the Bermuda International Film Festival and other events.

Mr. Swan issued a statement arguing that although Premier and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has stressed the importance of encouraging tourism to the Island, Government nevertheless has cut funding to a number of international events.

In a debate in the House of Assembly on whether to allow cruise ships to open their casinos in port, Dr. Brown said the Island needed to embrace changing developments in tourism.

"Bermuda and Bermudians have to decide whether we want to be in the tourism industry or not," said Dr. Brown.

Referring to this comment, Mr. Swan said: "I want to make a brief statement about something the Premier said during Wednesday's debate on cruise ship gambling in Bermuda.

"When it was clear the legislation was not going to pass, the Premier lectured MPs that Bermuda had to decide if it wanted to be in the tourism business or not.

"There was a need to move on initiatives such as cruise ship gambling on Front Street in order to keep up with the competition. Bermuda, he said, was falling behind.

"The Premier's speech got my attention," said Mr. Swan. "He was arguing that Bermuda needed to be more entertaining, to give visitors more to do. I could not agree more, though I disagreed that in-port gambling for cruise passengers was the thing to do it.

"It was strange hearing this argument coming from the Premier because, as Tourism Minister and as Premier, his Government has withdrawn funding support from a variety of excellent events that enrich the tourism calendar.

"Over the past few years, the Government has withdrawn funding support from: the Escape to Bermuda triathlon; the XL Tennis Tournament; and the Bermuda International Film Festival."

Mr. Swan said: "There may be others, but with these three we question the contradiction between the Premier's argument on Wednesday and the actions his Government has taken.

"What is the rationale for the funding cutbacks when it is clear the activities of each of the organisations enhanced the Bermuda tourism product, particularly in months outside our shrinking high season?"

The UBP leader said: "The amounts of cutbacks are relatively insignificant in a Government budget that is this year spending nearly $100 million on consultants, but they have proved to be devastating to the organisations targeted.

"We also note that the Government this year committed a minimum of $150,000 to the Love Festival a Valentine's Day-focused event that attracted 98 visitors.

"In contrast the Escape to Bermuda triathlon last year attracted a reported 600.

"The Premier has never explained these cutbacks and how they strengthen Bermuda tourism. Perhaps this week he could enlighten us."

In a response this week Senator Marc Bean, Junior Minister of Tourism and Transport, said the Love Festival aimed to attract more affluent travellers and he accused Mr. Swan of being "under-informed".

"When the Shadow Tourism Minister speaks about tourism, he reveals that he is consistently under-informed. To compare the visitors who came for the triathlon with those who came for the Love Festival demonstrates a rather unsophisticated analysis. Just last week Senator (Walwyn) Hughes commented on a need to target affluent travellers," said Sen. Bean.

"The Love Festival does that in a very effective way in fact a good number of people arrived by private jet and I expect the spend per visitor was much higher than average, which provides a great boost to our private-sector tourism partners.

"Also the Opposition Leader should be reminded that we are in a global economic downturn, the likes of which we haven't seen in 80 years. Naturally there are going to be cuts.

"Despite those cuts, Bermuda Tourism must still produce a smart and balanced calendar of events. The Love Festival capitalises on the US President's Day weekend when Americans can get away to Bermuda without missing time off-work.

"Plus Tourism's February calendar is not as busy as October, when the Escape Triathlon was likely to take place. So when looking at the big picture the Escape Triathlon was considered a less damaging sacrifice.

"But it is always possible that the Escape Triathlon will return when conditions improve. It is a good event for our tourism product."

Glenn Jones, Press Secretary to the Premier, said the Love Festival could result in sales of more fractional units.

"The high net worth of the people attracted to the Love Festival makes them a very unique statistical analysis. In fact this event is practically a mini-economic stimulus package at a time of year when the tourism industry needs stimulation," said Mr. Jones.

"There was a kick-off party at Newstead and a golf tournament at Belmont Hills. More stimulus there. Additionally, the fashion show at the Reefs and the brunch at Tucker's Point exposed attendees to the world of fractional ownership in Bermuda. Perhaps sales will be closed at Newstead, the Reefs or Tucker's Point as a result of the Love Festival.

"As wonderful as the Escape Triathlon is, these same possibilities for stimulus do not exist. Furthermore, I expect seven out of ten of the Love Festival attendees will revisit Bermuda within the same calendar year. Repeat visitor statistics are not as optimistic with other events."