The Department of Tourism spent $1.5 million on digital marketing in the 2009/2010 fiscal year.

Out of the $1.5 million, iCrossing, the Department's digital marketing agency, was paid $327,725 in management, creative design and production fees.

Answers to Parliamentary Questions, submitted by Senator Michael Dunkley, revealed the Department paid for 25 events or sales to be advertised on the web between April 1 2009 and March 31 2010.

Yesterday Junior Minister of Tourism Marc Bean told the Senate the budget for digital marketing rose from $1.25 million. To date Sen. Bean said $1.5 has been spent, the fiscal year ends on March 31.

"Additional funds were allocated to the digital marketing effort during the fiscal year because of its huge potential for successful conversion of bookings," he said.

This included the Sizzling Summer 400th Anniversary sale, which offered a $400 credit for stays of four nights or more at many hotels across the Island.

It resulted in 15,164 room nights being sold — approximately 4,332 bookings.

The Department spent $437,900 promoting it, of which iCrossing was paid $82,000 in management and design fees. The Department promoted it on Luxury Link, Trip Advisor, Google as well as other vendors.

The Sizzling Summer digital promotion was the largest the Department paid for in the 2009 fiscal year.

Next up was the Endless Summer offer which cost $68,500 to promote online, of which iCrossing was paid $33,300. It offered a $300 Visa Gift Card to visitors.

The third most expensive digital marketing campaign was for the "Port Royal Reopening", which cost $58,900.

The campaign was built around the slogan: "Trust us when we say a hole-in-one never looked so amazing. From take-off to tee off in just under two hours."

"48 Hour Sale" which cost $40,600 to promote it online, of which $30,400 went to iCrossing. It resulted in more than 4,000 rooms being booked at participated hotels.

The "Fairmont Southampton $99 Sale", which offered 50 percent off room rates, resulted in the hotel selling 14,000 room nights — or 4,000 bookings — in just 99 hours.

The Department spent $4,000 promoting it, all of which was paid to iCrossing.

The Department advertised online at DrivePM, Trip Advisor, DoubleClick Dart, Google, Facebook, IgoUgo, Luxury Link and RGM.