BTA & NSC Extend Sports Tourism Agreement
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] and the National Sports Centre [NSC] announced today that they have extended their sports tourism partnership agreement.
“An estimated 1,900 sports tourism visitors came to Bermuda in the first quarter of 2016 to play a variety of sports. About half the teams and athletes to visit the Island played or trained at the NSC where they could use the facilities at little or no cost,” the BTA said.
“The now-extended agreement allows visiting teams to use the facilities at the National Sports Centre for training camps. The BTA picks up the fees associated with using the facility and also helps the team connect with other services like accommodation, ground transportation and restaurants.”
“This is one of our strategies that many people have stopped me on the street to say they are pleased to see take flight,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, the BTA’s chief product and experiences development officer.
“During the first three months of the year we had Olympic-level swimmers, youth football players and high school and college rugby players converging on the National Sports Centre. They were here during the shoulder season when we need volume the most.
“Beyond the teams utilising the NSC we also saw new shoulder season sailing events this year and watched measurable growth with existing events like the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship and the Bermuda Triple Challenge.
“We are very pleased with the performance of sports tourism thus far in 2016, and more importantly, we believe there is plenty of room for growth. That’s why we are excited to extend this agreement with the National Sports Centre.”
The NSC Aquatic Centre and the recently openly weight training facility have increased the attractiveness of Bermuda as a sports training destination, the BTA said.
“We have always ensured any development undertaken at the National Sports Centre is not only first class, but World Class,” said Sean Tucker, Chairman of the NSC Board of Trustees. “
“The Danish National team and the Swim Mac teams were very pleased with our facilities and they’re telling others. We look forward to this partnership agreement growing visitor numbers in the future.”
The BTA added, “The extended agreement will cover any sports tourism training camps booked and confirmed before December 31, 2016. However, it is possible for the training camp to occur after December 31.
“The high volume of sports tourism in the first quarter created an economic boost for ground transportation companies like GAR Transport. The company handled transportation for the Danish and Swim-Mac teams. Both held training camps that lasted more than a week.”
GAR Transport Owner George Albert Ratteray said, “January to March, and even early April, is the perfect time to have these niche sports groups come in, before the major cruise ships arrive.” Mr Ratteray negotiated directly with the teams for their business following an email introduction by the BTA.
The sports tourism events in the first quarter of 2016 included:
- Ariel Re Bermuda Rugby 7s
- Bermuda Marathon Weekend
- Bermuda Regional Bridge Tournament
- Bermuda Triple Challenge
- Chris Langford Golf Pairs
- Danish National Swim Team
- Executive Women’s Golf Association
- Grey Goose World Par 3
- Goucher Women’s Soccer
- M32 Winter Series
- RC44 Bermuda Cup
- Swim-Mac Elite Training
- Triangle Cup Youth Soccer
The BTA said, “The estimated 1,900 sports tourism visitors is a combination of confirmed and estimated totals from event organisers. Sports tourism visitation was especially high during periods of March when high school and college students in the United States and Canada were on spring break.”
Mrs Phillip-Fairn said, “We consider sports to be the new college spring break strategy for Bermuda.
“Students who are rugby players, golfers, swimmers and soccer players are finding a happy retreat in Bermuda where they can train hard and then relax on the beach, spend their days on the playing field and their evenings on Front Street.”
That is one aspect , broadcast live vía satalight and sell air time to advertisment.
In orden to do this the product has to have interest to draw quantitive viewing value.
They are doing something positive and unfortunately only getting negative comments from you and others like you…”Give peace a chance.”
“evenings on Front Street”
Is this woman serious? Surely the BTA should be spending OUR money for the benefit of as many Bermudians as possible.
Why does Front Street get a mention and no other establishment in Bermuda?
I see Ms.Fairn getting a lot of attention taking sports tourism to another level, but is she really the bringing these teams to Bermuda on her own!?