Tourism To Sponsor Four Sporting Events
Minister of Business Development & Tourism Patrice Minors today [Aug.4] announced that Government will contribute a total of $270,000 toward four international sporting events to be held this year in a bid to boost Bermuda’s tourism.
Tournaments from four different genres – sailing, running, triathlon, rugby – will receive sponsorship. The Minister said, “the exposure alone generated from these events being carried on overseas mainstream sporting networks will result in Bermuda being seen by millions internationally.”
The Bermuda Marathon Weekend and the Argo Gold Cup Sailing will each receive $80,000, while the SheRox Triathlon will receive $60,000, and the World Rugby Classic received $50,000.
Minister Minors’ statement:
The Argo Group Gold Cup, which will take place in Hamilton Harbour, is the oldest match-racing trophy in the world for competition involving one-design yachts. “We have committed $80,000 in support of the Gold Cup and we are anticipating that this event will bring in about 200 visitors to our shores,” noted Minister Minors.
The BDOT is also sponsoring the World Rugby Classic, which is an international tournament played each November at Bermuda National Sports Centre.
Minister Minors said, “We are not only sponsoring the Classic but are looking at ways to use its presence as a sales tool to help market Bermuda to leisure and corporate visitors. Our sponsorship commitment to this event is $50,000. It is estimated that we will welcome some 750 visitors to our shores for the Classic.”
Minister Minors’ answers questions:
The sponsorship commitment for the SheRox Bermuda Triathlon to be held in November is $60,000. It is “estimated that we will welcome some 200 plus visitors to Bermuda for this all female triathlon,” said the Minister.
Scheduled to be held from January 13-15, 2012, the Bermuda Marathon Weekend features a series of mile races, a 10K, and a half and full marathon.
Minister Minors said, “Our sponsorship commitment to this event is $80,000. In 2010 it was estimated that 400 visitors would attend the event and we were pleasantly surprised with double that number in attendance and it is estimated that we will welcome some 800 visitors to Bermuda again this year.”
Minister Minors [center] is pictured above with from L to R: Lee Tucker, Bermuda Marathon Weekend representative, Sheryl Richardson and Sarah Johnston of the Triathlon Association, and Alex Madeiros, Chair of the Good Will Golf Tournament.
The Minister said, “Ladies and gentlemen, all of these events are currently being vigorously promoted overseas to specific sporting target markets. All media outlets of print, television, radio as well as social networking sites are being engaged to create a buzz around these exciting events.”
“Also the exposure alone generated from these events being carried on overseas mainstream sporting networks will result in Bermuda being seen by millions internationally.”
“I should point out that all of the sport tourism events that the BDOT sponsors must meet the goals and objectives that are expected of them.”
“Sports Tourism events provide our overseas sales teams with a platform to showcase Bermuda to consumers and enforce the message that Bermuda is alive.”
“These have a direct impact on the livelihood of many of our island’s residents and we must all do our part to ensure their success.”
Minister Minors’ full statement is below:
Good afternoon,
I trust that you all had a wonderful Cup Match holiday!
For us, it was a very busy and full weekend of Bermuda Department of Tourism sponsored events… events which allowed our visitors to feel the pulse of Bermuda like never before.
And so today, I invited you here because I wanted to provide an update on what we consider to be a very successful weekend of activities as well as to highlight some of the other exciting sporting events which we have lined up for the next several months.
First a roundup of the holiday weekend.
I announced at my last Quarterly report that we were launching a new visitor programme called the Cup Match Summer Splash. This initiative was aimed at connecting our visitors to all of the exciting key events which take place over the holiday weekend.
And from Thursday to Sunday, our visitors experienced the best of Bermuda’s hospitality at our Visitors’ Tent at BeachFest; our Visitors Stall at Cup Match; and two great boat cruises around the island.
As you’re aware, the first day of the Cup Match Summer Splash started with the hugely popular BeachFest.
The excitement was conspicuous at Horseshoe Bay, with thousands of visitors and locals enjoying the beautiful weather, the pink sand beach and a limitless line up of entertainment.
It was our first time hosting a visitor’s tent at this event and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our BDOT team and Tourism Youth and Senior Ambassadors who worked hard throughout the day mingling with visitors, promoting our Cup Match Summer Splash activities, and passing out complimentary Swizzle and BDoT merchandise.
It is estimated that close to ten thousand people were present at Horseshoe Bay on Thursday. In fact, the feedback that we continue to receive about this event both locally and from overseas has been most encouraging.
I was pleased to be in attendance for the first time at BeachFest and enjoyed the lively atmosphere which included fun events for a very diverse audience. Partying singles and picnicking families all at one location celebrating Emancipation Day was pleasant to see!
And I want to take this opportunity to commend the organizers, Chewstick, for their hard work and focus in putting on an event that sought to bring people together.
We were thrilled to be involved in such a dynamic atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to interact with our visitors while showcasing several of Bermuda’s positive attributes like our local entertainers.
I am confident that the event can only grow from strength to strength.
We the Bermuda Department of Tourism realize the benefit of associating ourselves with and sponsoring of such an event and seek to continue the dialogue with the organizers in the future
Cup Match is simply described as one of Bermuda’s best cultural activities and our visitors relish the occasion where they can witness and participate in so many of our rich traditions.
With this in mind, the Tourism Department is always delighted to partner with the Bermuda Hotel Association to show our visitors an unforgettable time and immerse them in our national pastime sport – cricket.
The Visitors Stall received close to a 1,000 visitors over the two days. Our guests enjoyed lots of swizzle and refreshments and they were able to meet new friends and learn all about the sport of cricket.
What made the two days even more amazing was that they got to see a thrilling end to the match – which resulted in my St. George’s team winning the coveted Cup Match Cup.
And rounding out our weekend of events was the Sunset Cruise held on Saturday evening which I had the pleasure of attending and while I had expected a relaxing evening, the BDoT staff had other plans as usual had me engaged in all manner of photo ops and even a CITV interview.
The Non-Mariners Cruise was held on Sunday afternoon for which 80 plus visitors enjoyed a fun filled day as our guests onboard the Destiny.
These on the water events were our way of saying thank you to the visitors who chose Bermuda as their vacation destination this summer.
They were very successful events, our visitors were thoroughly satisfied, and we look forward to next year. We are very keen to ride this momentum into the latter months of the summer season.
You will be aware that one of the major objectives is to attract additional visitors to our shores, through events and activities that attract sporting participants.
I know that you are already familiar with our staple fall events like the PGA Grand Slam and the Bermuda Good Will Golf Tournament, however I am pleased to highlight some great upcoming sporting events that we have proudly committed to sponsoring, starting off with the Argo Gold Cup which will be held October 4 – 9.
The Argo Group Gold Cup, which will take place in Hamilton Harbour, is the oldest match-racing trophy in the world for competition involving one-design yachts.
The 2011 edition of the Argo Group Gold Cup, the penultimate match on the World Match Race Tour, is shaping up to be a tough battle. Eight of nine World Match Race Tour Card Holders along with 16 other world class teams will be racing for the coveted King Edward VII Gold Cup.
We have committed $80,000 in support of the Gold Cup and we are anticipating that this event will bring in about 200 visitors to our shores.
I am pleased to note that we have committed to once again sponsor the World Rugby Classic. This annual multi-nation tournament played each November at Bermuda National Sports Centre, is closing in on a quarter century of existence.
We are not only sponsoring the Classic but are looking at ways to use its presence as a sales tool to help market Bermuda to leisure and corporate visitors.
Our sponsorship commitment to this event is $50,000. It is estimated that we will welcome some 750 visitors to our shores for the Classic.
Also in November, we will welcome back an event specifically targeted for Bermuda – the SheRox Bermuda Triathlon.
This event is already in market and recreational women triathletes are already signing up.
On November 6th these women will swim in the waters off of the Fairmont Southampton Ocean Club and then cycle and run on South Shore Road. While many of their hometowns will be bracing for the winter, they will be having a great girl’s getaway in Bermuda.
Our sponsorship commitment to this event is $60,000. It is estimated that we will welcome some 200 plus visitors to Bermuda for this all female triathlon.
And rounding out our sporting events is the Bermuda Marathon Weekend, formerly known as the Bermuda International Race Weekend, is on track to build on the success of the 2011 event.
Scheduled to be held from January 13-15, 2012, the Bermuda Marathon Weekend is the perfect destination event for runners who may be bogged down under Old Man Winter in their hometowns.
Spread over 3 days and featuring a series of mile races, a 10K, a half and full marathon, the Marathon Weekend just keeps on going.
Participants can choose to run just 1 or 2 races or, for those who find it hard to stop in paradise, the Bermuda Triangle Challenge ‘3 races in 3 days’ will provide an unforgettable experience as they try to survive.
Our sponsorship commitment to this event is $80,000.
In 2010 it was estimated that 400 visitors would attend the event and we were pleasantly surprised with double that number in attendance and it is estimated that we will welcome some 800 visitors to Bermuda again this year.
Ladies and gentlemen, all of these events are currently being vigorously promoted overseas to specific sporting target markets. All media outlets of print, television, radio as well as social networking sites are being engaged to create a buzz around these exciting events.
Also the exposure alone generated from these events being carried on overseas mainstream sporting networks will result in Bermuda being seen by millions internationally.
I should point out that all of the sport tourism events that the BDOT sponsors must meet the goals and objectives that are expected of them.
Sports Tourism events provide our overseas sales teams with a platform to showcase Bermuda to consumers and enforce the message that Bermuda is alive.
These have a direct impact on the livelihood of many of our island’s residents and we must all do our part to ensure their success.
We truly appreciate and support our various sporting organizations, entrepreneurs and overseas partners for their commitment and hard work in strengthening our Tourism industry.
And I join them in looking forward to welcoming all of the participants and visitors to our shores for these events, and we at the Bermuda Department of Tourism cannot wait to do our part to support and host what has proven in the past to be some incredibly fun and exciting events in the latter months of this year.
Thank you.
Great news!!!!! I think there are many sports that bring a lot of “tourism” dollars to Bermuda. It is nice to know they are being recognized and supported by the government.
Isn’t the Rugby Classic a profit making venture for a private company? If so, why is the government subsidizing it?
Because it’s more glamorous than sponsoring a tournament through the BRFU that will result in funding for grass roots rugby programs or sport scholarships for promising student players.
Sports scholarships ??? really!!
I don’t know if it makes money or not, however, along with other “private” events held in Bermuda (think Marion-Bermuda and Newport-Bermuda) yacht races, it brings people to the island who may not have ordinarily come here. In principle, sports marketing is a good idea plus the return for Government is huge. Minimal investment, a few brochures and signs and great exposre and someone else does all the work. I do know that these types of events run on tight budgets (something this government could learn from) and tourism money can often make or break them.
It’s up to the organisers of those events on how to help support the grass roots of the respective sports.
Plus, it’s better than spending it on a trip to the Playboy mansion for the ex=premier and his (alledged) pervert son.
Congratulations Minister Minors and your team! Piggybacking on to already successful events to ensure our visitors feel welcome is money well spent in my opinion. It is also great to see the diversity in the events being supported.
$270,000.. less than 1,500 visitors…. do the math…
one question… why blow out over quarter of a million for 1500 visitors???
Does the Tourism Ministry have any plans to revive tourism ??? please share the plans before you spend all the tax payers money!
bermyshotta could participate in the running…he’s used to running away from the police.
Just curious, get the facts. I can tell you that one of those events generates over a million dollars into our economy. That’s a fact! Do the math is right! Well done Tourism!!!
Throwing money at events that already bring in the numbers. So If we have 1500 visitors over the 4 events already by spending $0, what additional numbers will the govt spend generate ? 100 ? 50? 500? Do the maths, as this govt can’t !
REMEMBER TRACK AND FIELD NEXT YEAR PLEASE! CARIFTA!!!
I think these organizations should give other sporting bodies that were not so fortunate first rights to stalls, etc at the events to allow them an opportunity to raise funds as well.
Not ok- BDOT is not throwing money at any of these events. Running any event takes a great deal of energy and money. This money will assist the organizer with much needed funding so that the event is successful. It is very easy to criticize until you actually try organizing…..not easy but in the end Bermuda benefits and the RETURN on the investment is worth it for BDOT.
Interesting, people ask what this Govt is doing to stimulate the economy and when they do, people still find fault.
Over 700 visitors to Bermuda for the Rugby Classic.Can this be substantiated? By that I mean 700 PAYING customers, staying in HOTEL(s) or GUEST HOUSE(s) rooms and do not include sponsored members of visiting teams.