THE Shadow Tourism Minister has urged the Premier to start 2009 on the right foot by publicly condemning the actions of former campaign manager and 'Faith Based Tourism' head Andre Curtis.

Michael Dunkley told the Mid-Ocean News he is "offended" by Mr. Curtis' 'Faith Based Tourism' initiatives, calling them a "sham", and urging Tourism Minister Dr. Brown, who also employs Mr. Curtis to run his constituency, to condemn the alleged fraudster.

Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars paid to Mr. Curtis' company Harvest Investment Holdings last year for 'Faith Based Tourism' schemes remain unaccounted for.

Mr. Curtis is now under investigation by the Montana State Auditor's Office for his alleged role in an international 'Ponzi' scheme, said to have duped investors out of millions.

Thus far, neither Dr. Brown nor PLP chairman David Burt have commented on the allegations against Mr. Curtis, nor whether these accusations affect his role within the party.

Mr. Dunkley believes Mr. Curtis should be publicly held accountable for the money he was paid to run ten 'Faith Based Tourism' events, only a handful of which actually came to fruition. The Government has to date offered no statistics to show whether any of these religious events drew visitors to the island.

"As a Christian, I'm offended – these 'Faith Based Tourism' initiatives are a mockery," Mr. Dunkley said.

"It has been a sham from the beginning, led by Andre Curtis. From what I hear, vendors from some of these so-called 'events' remain unpaid. If you're going to use faith as part of an initiative, run it in the right way. We haven't been up front and honest."

Mr. Dunkley has called on the Premier and Tourism Minister to offer up a plan to reinvigorate Bermuda's flagging tourism industry for 2009.

"The Premier hasn't outlined a plan for the short term or the long term," he said.

"We're facing a difficult time. Without a plan, we're spending taxpayer dollars willy-nilly. The Government must decide: where is our target market, and where will our marketing dollars go?

"I give the Premier credit for his energy and desire, but it's been more about glitz and a show versus an effective plan. This is one of the most difficult times Bermudians can remember. There are all these tourism projects supposedly in the pipeline, but where are the finances? No one is going to get involved without a detailed plan. This isn't just about the economy, it's about employment for Bermudians."

He added that Dr. Brown must "lead by example", condemning the actions of Mr. Curtis and confirming what the alleged fraudster's role will be, if any, in the PLP this coming year.

"It's up to the Premier, but I'd think Bermudians want to know he isn't happy with the initiatives to date," Mr. Dunkley said.

"What Andre Curtis has done is an abomination, and the Premier has not denounced it. Where is the accountability? The Premier must lead by example! There's still talk about 'Faith Based Tourism'.

"If this was a private business people would be asking questions, but the Premier is content to spend taxpayers' money without a plan and without accountability.

"People must do what they signed up to do, what they said they'd do. The Premier seems to be protecting someone close to him. For success in tourism – and for the success of Dr. Brown and his party – he needs to show that when something unacceptable happens, he will condemn and rectify it."

Dr. Brown did not respond to a request for comment.

However, in 2007, when questions arose about Mr. Curtis' handling of money paid to his company for 'Faith Based Tourism' campaigns, the Premier said: "The Opposition's wrongful assault is not just an assault on this Government and Mr. Curtis, but an unprovoked and unnecessary assault on a religious effort, an effort which has lifted the hearts of many tourists and touched the souls of many Bermudians."