Bermuda's historic place in the slave trade has been acknowledged by UNESCO with the world body including the Island's African Diaspora Heritage Trail as part of its Slave Route Project.

It comes in the run up to the second Heritage Trail Conference on the Island this September and shortly before the Bicentenary commemorations for the abolition of the slave trade by the UK next year and the US in 2008.

"UNESCO recognising Bermuda as a slave route continues to add to the Island's uniqueness. Bermuda is not only perceived as a stable and secure tourist centre but also a strategic location where scientists, historians and educators and other interested individuals can obtain an insight into the African slave experience within the Americas, Africa and Europe," said chairman of the trail committee, Raydell Tankard.

"What this means is that slave narratives and historic sights such as the Wesley Methodist Church on Cobbs Hill Road in Warwick and the Commissioner's House in Dockyard are all slave related, will promote Bermuda's rich cultural heritage internationally and consequently attract more people to the Island."

Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, said: "This is a proud moment in Bermuda's history. We are humbled that the African Diaspora Heritage Trail has been afforded an opportunity to be featured so prominently on the world stage."

The trail was created as an extra tourism bow for Bermuda, providing a cultural-driven attraction for those wanting to familiarise themselves with the history and heritage of the Island and its place in the slave trade and enforced movement of millions of people between Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Bermuda is the headquarters of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, which already has links around North and South America, Africa and the Caribbean.

The acknowledgement from UNESCO would further increase awareness, said Dr. Brown.

At the first conference last year there were more than 400 visitors to the Island, including members of Schomberg Museum, Smithsonian Museum and the Howard and Yale universities.

"We are confident that further development of the African Diaspora Heritage Bermuda Trail will fulfil our hopes of attracting that discerning and culturally enlightened segment of visitors, looking for a more enriching travel experience," said Dr. Brown.