Palma de Majorca, Spain  - The tourism authority of Majorca will pay 6 million euros (8.4 million dollars) to have world number one Rafael Nadal endorse his home island as a holiday destination for the next three years.

Even amid a world economic downturn, the star power of the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion remains undiminished, with Nadal taking time out of his holiday break to record his first commercial.

Officials hope that the charismatic player will boost tourism numbers in the current grim climate.

"The best tennis player in the world will promote the best tourist destination in Europe," trumpeted island tourism minister Miquel Nadal.

Nadal's advert was designed to lure more British, German and even Spanish visitors to his homeland, where he said: "I travel a lot and see a lot of places and that's why I can confirm that you can do anything in these islands - except, perhaps, skiing." (dpa)