arm has been signed.

Starting next week, passengers arriving on the Celebrity Cruises' Horizon will be given a $50 "credit card'' to spend in Island shops, restaurants and other services.

Retailers in the vessel's two ports, Hamilton and St. George's, could start to benefit from visitors using their "Horizon cards'' -- to a maximum overall reward of $1.8 million a year.

Tourism Minister David Allen said that there will not be any similar deals with the remaining five ships until the existing contracts come up for renewal.

But he added any new contracts would not be signed without a trickle down effect in the economy.

"We have to be fair about this because the cruise lines are our partners, this is a very generous offering,'' he said.

"This programme creates a greater trickle down to the local economy. This is a prime example of Government and the private sector working together for the Bermuda economy.

"This should certainly lead to extra employment.'' Passengers embarking in New York next week will be given a brochure detailing the retailers taking part and the card.

Only valid for their stay, it can be used at vendors displaying the Go Card of scheme administrater Gibbons Financial Services.