Bermuda Tourism has announced a groundbreaking deal with the Boston Red Sox, the US baseball team, to try and lure New Englanders to the holiday island.

The partnership, worth in the region of US$500,000, the Boston Red Sox will host a 'Bermuda Night' at Fenway Park, the team’s ground. There the Red Sox will honour officials from Bermuda, performers will provide entertainment and one fan will win a trip to the island if a Red Sox player hits a home run.

Ewart F. Brown, premier of Bermuda and minister of tourism and transport said: “We want every member of Red Sox Nation to know they can be on a Bermuda pink sand beach or a majestic golf course in less time than it takes to play a baseball game," "I am confident Bermuda Tourism's new partnership with the Red Sox will help us reach a cross-section of New Englanders and convince more of them to visit Bermuda."

"The Boston Red Sox are proud to welcome Bermuda Tourism to our family of corporate partners," said Sam Kennedy, Red Sox chief sales and marketing officer. "Their commitment to the Red Sox, and our fans, will help us as we pursue championship seasons in 2009 and beyond.  We look forward to hosting them at Fenway Park on Bermuda Night and working with us to expand Red Sox Nation throughout the Bermuda Islands."

"We are very happy to work with Bermuda Tourism to help make Red Sox fans aware of how convenient it is to travel to Bermuda from New England," said Sean McGrail, NESN president. "Our viewers will see why this extraordinary island is a preferred getaway destination for so many and that it's an easy 2 hour flight from Boston."