The first set of experiences to cater to a growing segment of the travel industry have been created locally by nine companies acting in partnership.

The team is going after business generated by a group of visitors the Monitor Company identified in its initial research as looking for an escape from the rigours of daily life.

While these "Escapers'' tend to stay in their choice of destination for a slightly shorter period of time than their counterparts, Monitor spokesman Randall Kempner said, they are also willing to pay premium prices for unique experiences offering relaxation and seclusion.

The local experiences on offer will include Astwood Dickinson's Jewellery Escape, Courtesy Taxi Service's and Miles Market's Hidden Beach Escape, Fantasea Cruises' and Jesse James Cruises' Deluxe Dinner Cruise Escape and the Little Venice Group's Escapers Dine Around.

Other entities involved in the project are BerSalon and Port Royal Golf Course while the Sonesta Beach Resort has agreed to market these experiences to its guests on a trial basis.

Sonesta general manager John Murtha said: "We think the escapers represent a strong potential market for the Sonesta and Bermuda in general.

"We also realised that we needed to work with a diverse set of providers to create unique experiences that will sell Bermuda, not just the hotel.'' Courtesy Taxi Service president Judy Hunt said: "Serving this segment offers an opportunity for many of the small businesses on the Island.

"Since they want experiences that offer luxury and seclusion, it means more service providers will be involved.

"We think the Hidden Beach Tour will be a great success.'' Astwood Dickinson president Tommy Dickinson added: "What we are trying to do is create a different experience for our visitors.

"Escapers are here for a short period of time and they want to be taken care of without having to exercise too strenuously to get it.'' The Jewellery Escape will see participants picked up from the Sonesta Beach Hotel and delivered to Hamilton by free taxi with a short tour along the way.

In Hamilton they will get a guided tour of Astwood Dickinson's design and manufacturing workshop along with time to shop in other stores before returning to the hotel.

Mr. Dickinson noted: "It will be nice if our businesses benefit, that's what we want as an end result, but we are trying to make visitors' stays more enjoyable.

"I think it will work. I think it will be an asset to the visitor first and then retailers in general.'' BerSalon will offer escapers the freedom to choose from its wide range of services and facilities and the scheme will take advantage of the company's partnership with the Sonesta Beach Hotel, said company president Michael Ternent.

Travellers were tending to choose resorts with spa facilities available, he noted, especially as spa awareness was growing amongst men and women around the globe.

The offerings are similar to what BerSalon did over the past year, he added, with some refinements.

"They were directed at people coming to the Island for a golf or tennis vacation,'' he said.

"Now visitors will have the chance to have their escapers' package include a visit to the spa, our wide range of services and use of the facilities.'' In closing he praised the Monitor Company who has been working on-Island in a bid to boost local tourism.

"The Monitor Group are doing an excellent job,'' said Mr. Ternent. "They have succeeded in getting people together who would not normally get together and meet.

"I believe the escapers group and the other ideas Monitor have implemented will continue to evolve and be fine-tuned. They should prove to be on-going.''