Air Arrivals Increase, Cruise & Retail Decrease
According to the Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics released yesterday [Dec 5], air arrivals increased 2.4% compared to the same quarter of 2012, while cruise ship arrivals and retail sales both declined.
The report noted that cruise ship arrivals fell 12.1% and retail sales decreased by $2.4 million. All retail sectors recorded lower sales activity with the exception of motor vehicle retailers and food stores.
Overseas spending also dropped, with residents declaring a total of $15.9 million for overseas purchases of goods during the third quarter of 2013, which was $1.7 million less than a year ago.
The number of cruise ship passengers travelling to Bermuda decreased 12.1% to 157,373 passengers due to 20 fewer cruise ship calls at Bermuda’s ports compared to the same quarter in 2012.
The number of guests staying at private homes rose by 11.8%, which works out to an increase of over 2,000 visitors lodging at private homes.
Visitors staying at the smaller hotels increased 1.4%, occupancy level at guest houses fractionally increased by 0.4%, while resort hotels registered a 1.8% decline.
There were 2,543 workers employed in the hotel industry at the end of July 2013, which is 36 fewer workers compared
to last year.
The full Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics is below [PDF here]:
So this indicates that people who fly here are not spending money therefore they are probably here on BUSINESS. Thank you IB.
It also indicates that more people are staying at private homes – they are probably guests of expats. Thank you IB.
Are the 59,000 visitors a year who stay in private houses unwelcome then? I’m sure they can find other places to go.
Hotel receipts are up in all 4 categories in 3Q.
IB visitors stay in hotels and spend a lot of money while they’re here.
Total visitor spending was down because number of cruise ship passengers was down. We know who to thank for dropping that ball.
OBA doing a good job,with the lousy hand they were dealt!
So why are the actual dollar figures worse now?
‘Cuz it takes more than one season to fix decades of mismanagement.
Better to fill the hotels with cheap room rates than keeping them empty with HIGH room rates. Lower the room rates and fill up the hotels so that there will be more work for the employees.
We need to stop pricing ourselves out of the tourist market.
Notice how so many cruise ships offer a weekend cruise for $199 and fill the ships to the max knowing that the passengers will spend the money saved on rooms for drinks and in the on-board shops.