Tourism Minister Patrice Minors has sung the praises of sports tourism for attracting thousands of visitors to our shores.Ms Minors said that despite working with a reduced budget, the Department of Tourism continues to support existing events, as well as looking for new ones. She told the House of Assembly in a ministerial statement that sports tourism “increases visitation to our shores and puts Bermuda in the headlines around the world.”Ms Minors said: “Bermuda’s return on investment in sports marketing is best witnessed by … the thousands of visitors these events bring to our Island and by the millions of dollars worth of media exposure from print, web and social media outlets.”Ms Minors went on to explain that “Bermuda’s waters have been bubbling with activity” with the Charleston to Bermuda Race, the Bermuda Fly Fishing Invitational, the Marion to Bermuda Race and the Bermuda Triple Crown.Ms Minors said Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel will be two of the players competing in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Port Royal Golf Course in October. She added that the Department of Tourism was working with sales staff in the US, Canada and the UK to entice more people to come and watch the competition.The Department of Tourism also recently funded a launch reception at the NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Wight, as Bermuda will host the Island Games in July, 2013. Ms Minors said excitement was already buzzing as the event is expected to bring 2,000 competitors to the Island.Ms Minors also gave mention to the first Bermuda Beach Smash 2011, which sees Bermuda Beach Tennis and Bermuda Volleyball Association teaming up in August on Horseshoe Bay.She also highlighted the Argo Group Gold Cup and the Round The Sound Swim in October and SheRox Bermuda Triathlon and World Rugby Classic in November. Ms Minors said: “Sports tourism events provide our overseas sales teams with a platform to showcase Bermuda to consumers and enforce the message that Bermuda is alive.”