Sole bidder Bermuda has been awarded the 2013 Island Games - the first edition of the biennial event to ever be held outside Europe.

Bermuda faced no bidding opposition to host the Games after rivals Prince Edward Island pulled out of the race after their government's decision not to support any bid.

Delegates from 23 of the 25 member islands attended an AGM in Aland, near Finland, at the weekend where Bermuda's Island Games Association (BIGA) made their successful presentation.

It is believed the event will bring in an estimated $10 million in revenues to the Island with a cost of $2.1 million. It is also expected to attract more than 4,000 international athletes and visitors, as well as more than 300 media organisations.

The only reservations expressed by the Island Games Association (IGA) concerned travel and accommodation prices with the cost of living much higher in Bermuda than most of the other member islands.

Chairman of BIGA Jon Beard said Bermuda would offer a "wonderful experience" to all of the visiting member islands.

"We are pleased and honoured to have been awarded the Island Games for 2013," said Beard. "We are ready for the challenge that this award brings. As a tourist destination we look forward to accommodating the increased numbers the Games will bring and will continue to work with all of the islands to ensure that the 2013 Island Games is a wonderful experience for them all".

Minister of Sport El James thanked the IGA for choosing Bermuda. "We look forward to welcoming you and sharing with you our pink sand beaches, extraordinarily pleasant weather and a distinctive landscape. We love our Island whole heartedly and we know you will love it too."

IGA Chairman, Jorgen Pettersson, said although they did not have any competition to host the event Bermuda would still have to deliver a great Games. He added that he was sure BIGA would be able to offer the visiting islands cost effective accommodation.

"The bid committee of Bermuda has made it clear that they are delivering various options in order to offer the visiting islands alternatives by way of accommodation," he said.

"We organise the competition to encourage young and old competitors to learn more about other islands and other cultures. This is another step in building bridges between insular societies and Bermuda will offer world class sporting venues."

Earlier this year delegates from IGA visited Bermuda and said the Island's sporting infrastructure was more than capable of hosting a Games.