The Department of Tourism will use its 18 percent budget increase to fund innovative promotional contests, a new public relations firm and increasing the number of visitors from UK and Canada.

Minister Derrick Burgess delivered the Ministry of Transport and Tourism's budget brief yesterday as Premier Ewart Brown, who is responsible for those ministries is in Dominica at a CARICOM conference.

Mr. Burgess said that 2009 had been a "weak" year for the Department of Tourism largely due to the global worldwide recession.

Total arrivals increased modestly by one percent over the previous year, buoyed by encouraging cruise arrivals while air arrivals declined in 2009 by 10.5 percent compared to 2008.

Hotel occupancies reflected the "weak performance of 2009" Minister Burgess said with average occupancy at 51 percent, compared to 59 percent in 2008.

But he added that cruise ship arrivals were up.

"The decision of government to invest in the Heritage Wharf terminal in Dockyard is clearly paying dividends," he said.

"Cruise ship arrivals were 318,528 in 2009, an increase of 11.2 percent over 2008. This trend will continue in 2010 with strong advanced bookings reported, and double digit arrivals projected."

Looking ahead Minister Burgess announced the Department has hired a Public Relations company, Lou Hammond and Associates, effective April 1, 2010.

The budget for PR went up by 71 percent, to $1.5 million, which has been allocated to drive awareness of Bermuda the Minsiter said.

"This also includes a greater focus on Canada with the advent of Westjet," he added.

In total the Department of Tourism was allocated $38.1 million for 2010/2011, this represents an increase of $6 million or 18.7 percent compared to 2009.

Minister Burgess outlined several projects the Department will do in the coming year to encourage people to visit the Island, including the renewed deal with Fenway Sports Group.

"[The deal includes] additional Bermuda themed nights; more static signage at Fenway Park; sponsorship opportunities at the Deutsche Bank and the Barclays golf tournaments, the first two tournaments in the prestigious FedEx Cup; and for the first time there will sponsorship in the Champions Cup Legends of Tennis series in Boston in April this year," he said.

Bermuda has also inked a deal to be the first destination promoted in a new nationally televised half-hour programme on NBC, entitled Global Golf Adventure. It airs in May. The PGA Grand Slam will also return this year to Port Royal. And billboard advertising will again be on display in key cities of New York, New Jersey and Boston, he said.

And Minister Burgess said the Department was thinking outside of the box when it came to attracting attention.

"We are set to launch an exciting and innovative promotional contest designed specifically for a growing, buoyant niche for Bermuda, i.e. the destination wedding business," he said. "The Perfect 10. Ten themed weddings, all-occurring on October 10, 2010, at 10 of Bermuda's great resorts where ten winning couples with ten of their friends and family will come to Bermuda after a major destination awareness campaign.

"The promotion will be exclusively executed by the most influential wedding website in the world, the knot.com."

In the UK the Department will expand the services of the PR agency of record, Rooster Inc, to include sales and marketing services.

"We have cemented our partnership with BA this year with coop marketing support that leverages a major campaign that the airline will be launching in April," he added.

Minister Burgess said the Department would have a major focus on Canada this year now that Westjet will be flying to the Island in addition to Air Canada.

To assist this the Department will appoint a new Sales and Marketing representative in Canada on April 1, 2010.

On the Island The Department is again working with hotels to attract visitors.

"The Minister of Tourism & Transport has reiterated on previous occasions, our firm commitment to directly support the Island's hotels with tactical support during this very difficult period," he said.

"The Department has directly contributed support to hotels in excess of $2.5 million in the past 18 months.

"We have again committed to support two similar major promotions that will be launched in the USA, Canada and the UK in the next few weeks. These promotions will be designed as Early Booking Promotions and will attempt to encourage increased advanced bookings for the important upcoming Beach and Sizzle season."

For more on the Minsiter of Tourism and Transport debate read Monday's The Royal Gazette.