he hopes will convince potential vacationers to visit the Island.

The first ever Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival kicks off in November with local and international chefs.

And in July, a major fishing tournament, the first Bermuda Big Game Classic, takes place, sponsored by one of North America's leading fishing publications Marlin magazine.

Mr. Allen told MPs that the four day Culinary Arts Festival will be sponsored by the prestigious Gourmet magazine and the Department of Tourism and will feature local hotels and restaurants.

He told the House of Assembly: "Surveys and focus group sessions conducted by the Ministry of Tourism consistently indicate that Bermuda is high on the `wish list' of those contemplating a vacation over the next two years but that there is a need for a `spur' to prompt conversions to make immediate bookings.

"Special events have a proven track record for Bermuda and indeed other destinations in prompting such conversion.'' He said the Jazz Festival had boosted visitor numbers by 25 percent last year.

Mr. Allen said the redesigned Bermuda Tourism website now includes a virtual welcome and virtual hotel tours for internet users. It now features information in German, Italian and Spanish.

The Minister said the on-Island Bermuda Marketplace for 600 American and Canadian travel agents will take place over two weeks in April to familiarise them with Bermuda.

An in November, off-Island partners such as the airlines and travel wholesalers will be flown to the Island when the National Tourism Action Group of the Tourism Board holds its second annual Bermuda National Tourism Conference.