Tourism Minister Ewart Brown has rejected calls for a ban on cruise ships hosting entertainment events onboard while in port in Bermuda.

But he has thrown his support behind the idea of getting more Bermudian entertainers performing on board the ships when they are in port in Bermuda.

Both entertainer Tony Brannon and Wendell (Shine) Hayward, president of the Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists have said more should be done to attract cruise passengers to local entertainment.

Dr. Brown spoke out on the topic after a meeting between cruise ship officials and the Island?s tour operators on September 14, which he said produced lots of fresh ideas.

He described the event at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel as ?the best we?ve ever had?, with a capacity audience of around 75.

The aim was to give tour operators with a product to sell a chance to speak with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Princess Cruises.

?There was an interesting set of ideas for new kinds of tours,? said Dr. Brown, citing the example of a man who wishes to conduct visits to some of the lesser-known locations of historical importance on the Island.

But he rejected calls made at the meeting by Mr. Brannon for a ban on ships hosting onboard shows.

?We should not be trying to attract business by default. If things are attractive on land, then the passengers will come off the cruise ships,? he said.

Rather than ask the ships to reduce entertainment, said Dr. Brown, he would rather see more local talent performing onboard the vessels.

?I would like to see a free market approach,? he added, explaining he had been pleased to see high-quality Bermudian entertainment at a reception for the cruise ship officials at the Spinning Wheel nightclub in Court Street after the seminar.

However, Mr. Brannon said: ?There are many Bermudians against the cruise ships having their own entertainment onboard while in port.

?There is no incentive for people to get off and see the Island. It used to be that there was no entertainment on board and the nightclubs thrived.?

Mr. Hayward said: ?For Minister Brown to offer opportunities to Bermudian musicians to perform on board these cruise ships while they are docked in Bermuda is not something that we would refuse.

?By rights it should be an enforced policy.

?After all, there is a policy in place that states that before any foreign act performing in Bermuda, there should be a local act. This should not exclude cruise ships.

?On the other hand, giving consideration to local restaurants and night clubs, entertainment on board the ships does not support their livelihood. It does not support our Bermuda economy as it pertains to the night life.

?We see these cruise ships as five star hotels committed to offering first class entertainment. Our hotels are not committed to the same.

?Where are the shows, the bands and the reviews? Our musicians do need the work.?