Bermuda couldn?t afford to pay Michael Douglas the $5 million he has received from the Majorcan Tourism Board to promote the Island, Government said yesterday.

Tourism activist Tony Brannon said yesterday Bermuda should have signed up the Hollywood star to promote the Island in the same way as the Spanish have done.

He said if he had been in the Department of Tourism, he would have tried to hire Mr. Douglas, who has a home in Bermuda and part-owns Ariel Sands, to bang the drum for the Island.

Acting Tourism Minister Neletha Butterfield said yesterday that while Government could not afford the sum paid by Majorca, Mr. Douglas has helped the Island in the past and there is an excellent relationship.

?Bermuda has an excellent relationship with Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and has benefited from their residency on the Island,? said Ms Butterfield.

?We have worked with them on specific projects and will continue to ask for his support for other tourism initiatives.

?The Minister of Tourism, Telecommunications and e-Commerce (Renee Webb) has a good relationship with both of them and both Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have expressed their support of Bermuda.

?Michael Douglas has been contracted by Majorca for $5 million to become the official spokesperson for the country.

?This is a significant amount and one that Bermuda Government could simply not afford.

?We are committed to finding more cost effective ways of promoting Bermuda and if we can find in-kind support of Bermuda from persons such Michael Douglas then we will capitalise on those opportunities.?