BTA: Sports Tourism Boosts Shoulder Season

As the Ariel Re Bermuda Rugby Sevens and the Bermuda Triple Challenge get underway this weekend, it marks the peak in a busy month of sports tourism activity across the island, the BTA said, adding that next weekend. sailing’s International Moth World Championship begins.

All three events are partly sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] as part of its strategy to grow volume to the island during the shoulder season of tourism, from November through March.

“Earlier this month, the BTA similarly supported the Grey Goose Par 3 Championship. Combined, more than 500 sports tourism visitors are expected this month,” the BTA said.

2016 Ariel Re Bermuda Rugby Sevens

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority is very encouraged by the growth in sports tourism, particularly at this time of year,” said Kevin Dallas, chief executive.

“The plan is for further growth in this area as we implement organisational changes that will drive sports tourism even further, which helps keep hotel, transport and other tourism workers on the job year-round.”

The BTA said, “Ariel Re Bermuda Rugby Sevens is expected to see the largest volume of sports tourism visitors this month as about 350 college and high school athletes and their families descend on the island. The tournament has grown impressively since its inception in 2016 and helps to power Bermuda’s growth with younger visitors.

“Local rugby players are also heavily involved on the field of play. The visiting athletes participate in the tournament during their spring breaks from school, and for the first time this year, girls teams are part of the tournament schedule.

“This year the Ariel Re Bermuda Sevens will be the biggest to date thanks to more than 100 friends and family that have travelled with their teams and built their vacations around this event,” said tournament organizer Tom Healy.

“None of this would be possible without the partnership of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, Ariel Re/Argo Group and the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Additionally, I’d like to extend a special thank you to the numerous local vendors who are providing their services to us throughout the weekend.”

Bermuda Triple Challenge 2018

Event Dates

• Ariel Re Bermuda Rugby Sevens – March 16th to 18th
• Bermuda Triple Challenge – March 16th to 18th
• International Moth World Championship – March 25th to April 1st

Earlier this month, dozens of golfers were in Bermuda for the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at Turtle Hill Golf Course. The weather forced a reduced schedule of play this year, with Australian Daniel Gaunt taking a winner’s purse of $10,000.

Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Product and Experiences Development Officer Pat Phillip-Fairn said: “From the Grey Goose World Par 3 at the beginning of March to the Moth Worlds at the end of the month, the Bermuda Tourism Authority has excellent sports tourism partners who are working hard to grow sports tourism in Bermuda. We are grateful to all of them and we encourage the public to join us on the sidelines at any of these exciting spectator events over the next few weeks.”

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Category: All, Business, Sports