An agreement is expected to be finalised within the next three months and the hotel will be renamed Rosewood Tucker’s Point.

Premier Ewart Brown said ‘Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa has been a vital addition to Bermuda’s tourism economy and has raised the bar for hospitality facilities and services here. The decision to retain Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to manage the hotel will ensure its continued operation at a high luxury standard.’

“I am honored to have been appointed to the role of General Chair of the 2010 PGA Grand Slam Executive Committee,” said Mr. Tyrrell, former President of the Bermuda Football Association. “It will give me another opportunity to use my organizational skills gained in assisting with several other major events in Bermuda both sporting and social.”

Mr. Tyrrell has been on Bermuda’s Board of Trustees for public golf since 2006. It is his second stint on the board. He has a long record of volunteerism and public service on the island. Mr. Tyrrell is also an avid golfer.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, appointed Mr. Tyrrell General Chairman in the spring of this year. “Neville Tyrrell has had his hands in golf administration for many years,” the Premier said. “His connections with Bermuda’s business sector should promote support from that community for the Grand Slam.”

Almost 100% of the Grand Slam Executive Committee is back in place this year to outdo last year’s exceptional performance – the first time the internationally televised tournament was held at Port Royal, one of Bermuda’s public golf courses.

The Grand Slam Executive Committee is responsible for a long list of tasks including marshalling and recruiting an army of volunteers, arranging logistics for the tournament and coordinating with the PGA of America and Port Royal staffs. All of the committee work is done on a volunteer basis.

Mr. Tyrrell said: “My job as the General Chair has been made easier by the willingness of every sub-Chair from the 2009 Grand Slam coming back on-board, bringing their past experience. I am very grateful for their support in carrying out the various duties so far, ensuring that the 2010 event will be even better than 2009.”

The PGA Grand Slam features four of the best golfers from the year’s major championships – the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen have qualified for this year’s Grand Slam. The fourth qualifier will come from this weekend’s PGA Championship.

The event, to be played at Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course, is televised in 100 countries around the world. It takes place October 18 – 20, 2010. The Department of Tourism has used the event over the past three years to market the country as a premier golf destination.

Premier Brown said: “This is the final year of a four-year deal with the PGA. I think our relationship with the PGA is solid and we’re all working hard to make this year’s Grand Slam the most exciting of all.”

The line-up for the 15th annual festival includes Ziggy Marley, Toni Braxton, Angie Stone, and Estelle. It will be held at the Fairmont Southampton from September 30 to October 2.

Tickets go on sale July 26 and are available online at www.bdatix.bm and in Bermuda at the iStore on Reid Street in Hamilton and Fabulous Fashions at the Heron Bay Plaza.

The Premier said, “One of the keys to Bermuda’s tourism turnaround is proactive, visionary leadership among our hoteliers. The recognition that what was good enough forty years ago isn’t good enough for the modern, sophisticated traveller should compel our entire Tourism industry to keep our product renewed, revitalized and ahead of our competition.

The Reefs’ David Dodwell has shown that he is not content to rest on the laurels of his hotels’ fine reputation, but instead has looked for ways to keep his product fresh, exciting and customer driven. He is a pacesetter for hoteliers who have been slow to upgrade the product and he has demonstrated a deep understanding of his customer.”

The Reefs which has been consistently ranked in Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda region has just completed a renovation and expansion project that now incorporates fractional ownership.

Premier Brown remarked, “The fact that The Reefs have made a commitment to employing, promoting and retaining Bermudians within its staff should be noted. We often say that the best thing about Bermuda is our people and The Reefs should be praised for keeping Bermudians on the frontlines of tourism at their hotel.”

The Premier said, “This is good news for the people of Bermuda and for our economy. The impact of the global recession on tourism destinations has been staggering and many countries have seen their arrivals plummet and their air capacity decline along with it. Thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign, diligent maintenance of the relationship with our partners in the air and cruise industry we have managed to keep Bermuda competitive as a tourist destination. When we combine this news with the positive talks held recently with Carnival Corporation regarding bringing more ships to St. George’s and the announcement that the Grand Atlantic Hotel will soon break ground we can see that there are many positive signs pointing to a tourism turnaround.”

Yesterday Premier Ewart Brown announced the Sandys Parish resort will undergo an $80 million dollar redevelopment and reopen in May 2011.

He said, “This development is yet another step on the path to revitalizing Bermuda’s tourism product to ensure we regain our reputation as a first class resort destination. This new development is also going to provide jobs during the re-development as well as additional jobs once the resort re-opens in 2011.”

Dr. Douglas will arrive on 20th May and depart on 25th May. During his visit Dr. Douglas will attend the House of Assembly, calling on the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, call on His Excellency the Governor and tour Dockyard and Commissioner’s House.

Premier Brown said “with such close links between Bermuda and St. Kitts it is a tremendous honour to welcome Dr. Douglas during our Heritage Month celebrations.”

Dr. Douglas will also join dignitaries on the reviewing stand at the Flagpole on 24th May to witness this year’s Bermuda Day Parade.

The Premier continued, “The Prime Minister has also committed to reaching out to the local Kittitian community and those who retain close links to the Island by hosting a Town Hall meeting to discuss recent development and change in St. Kitts.”

More details of the Prime Minister’s schedule will be provided in the coming weeks.

Dr. Douglas has been Prime Minister for 15 years and was first appointed in July 1995. His St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party recently won its fourth consecutive term in January 2010.

Premier Brown said, “This was a fantastic Masters…..a golfer’s dream finish. Phil Mickelson played a wonderful round and deserved to win his third Green Jacket. For Bermuda and the PGA Grand Slam, the outcome could be hugely positive considering Phil’s immense popularity. In my meetings with the PGA here in Augusta, they were very upbeat about this year’s Grand Slam and I am hopeful that we will negotiate an extension of our agreement.”

The 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, October 18-20, where Lucas Glover posted a five-stroke triumph over Angel Cabrera in last year’s meeting of major champions.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown, JP, MP said, “Although snow caused some flight cancellations in the US and prevented many couples from attending, the visitors that were able to get here had a great time. I have to say that this year was one of the best!”

The weekend’s activities kicked off with a Welcome Reception, hosted by the Premier and the Best of the Best Awards, sponsored by Robb Report at the Tucker’s Point Club. The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet’s rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” was a big hit with attendees.

The weekend wind and rain disrupted some of the planned outdoor activities however the quick-thinking Love Marshals saved the day, arranging a tour to the Crystal Caves and offering movie tickets to the romantic comedy, Valentine’s Day. Saturday night guests enjoyed a private dinner at the Port O’Call restaurant and then were whisked away on the Love Buses to the Fairmont Southampton to be serenaded by local entertainers and R&B crooner Babyface at the Kappa Valentine Night.

On Sunday afternoon, Love Festival attendees were treated to brunch at Masterworks with entertainment by Bermuda songbird, Toni Robinson. The Premier and his wife, Wanda Henton Brown honoured two couples who have attended the Love Festival each year since its inception five years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Tuzo, a local couple, have been married for sixty years, said they have a great time every year. Mr. and Mrs. Mikan vanZanten flew all the way from Holland the first year of the festival and have since moved to New York City, but they make sure the Love Festival stays in their travel plans as this weekend coincides with their wedding anniversary.

Sunday night was for lovers only and guests dined in the Harbourview Ballroom at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on an exquisite meal especially prepared by the chef for Valentine’s Day. Guests were treated to a romantic dessert collection prepared by the ‘Chef of Love’ Jernard Wells. The evening ended with entertainment by legendary baritone legend, Chuck Jackson and guests danced the night away to hits such as ‘Any Day Now’ and ‘I don’t want to Cry’.

The Prince, who owns the Elbow Beach hotel, is an avid horse breeder and owns more than 1000 Arabian horses around the world.

“Wanda and I were honoured to have been invited by His Royal Highness to this important event. Prince Khaled reminded us of his long association with Bermuda and seemed excited about the future of Elbow Beach,” Premier Brown said.

The horse show will run through Friday. The Premier will have a lunch meeting with Prince Khaled on Thursday before departing for the United States on Friday.