BTA: ‘Rebuilding Our Tourism Industry’
The Bermuda Tourism Authority said they are “working closely with airlines, hotels, and the Bermuda government to gauge and build visitor demand as the island prepares to reopen its airport at the start of next month.”
A spokesperson said, “The government announced yesterday that under Bermuda’s Phase 4 economic reopening plan, international commercial air service for visitors will resume through L.F. Wade International Airport starting July 1, after the country’s successful management of COVID-19 to date.
“We look forward to welcoming air visitors back and rebuilding our tourism industry,” said Glenn Jones, Interim CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA].
“Bermuda has strong advantages over many destinations, including its proximity to North American gateways, our clean, safe environment, and our robust record so far on reducing the pandemic’s negative impact on the island’s public health. However, an open border under rigorous health restrictions—albeit crucial health restrictions—could suppress demand and air service.”
Mr Jones said the BTA is “working closely with tourism industry partners, including airlines, hotels and the government, to determine how best to collaborate on building demand safely and responsibly.”
“Consumer polling and discussions with tourism stakeholders are focused on traveller sentiment, flight schedules, visitor accessibility to testing in their home cities, contactless travel solutions, and hotel-room availability. Notably, concern about demand could affect some Bermuda hotels’ ability to reopen in July,” the BTA added.
“Bermuda’s reopening plan features five stages of visitors travelling to and from Bermuda including: 1] pre-departure; 2] in-flight; 3] upon arrival; 4] on-island; and 5] returning home.
“In the coming days, government officials are working to finalise a policy to enable travellers who test negative 72 hours in advance and who also test negative upon arrival in Bermuda to have freedom of movement to enjoy the island’s experiences, adhering to local guidelines intended to protect the limited capacity of Bermuda’s healthcare system.
“As government works to finalise the specifics of Phase 4 arrival protocols, potential travellers are already asking detailed questions about how to successfully meet the requirements—such as accessibility to testing in their home communities and receiving results within time constraints. BTA is working with government officials to share consumer input and concern to ensure the finalised plan is easy to understand and actionable ahead of a trip to Bermuda.”
“The Bermuda Hotel Association understands more than most the importance of getting a date announced and we’re grateful to have that. Now we await the specific border-entry requirements the Minister told us are on the way,” said BHA CEO Stephen Todd.
“Even with scheduled flights resuming, restrictions imposed on visitors could result in low hotel occupancy. Individual hotels will need to make decisions about whether to open based on their own projection reports and data from the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
“That said, we all understand the need to balance reopening with careful risk assessment—safety is in the best interest of both future visitors and residents as we work to prevent any escalation of COVID-19.”
The BTA added, “The reopening reflects Bermuda’s success to date in managing the impact of the pandemic, with a high volume of testing and contact tracing following lockdown and shelter-at-home measures. The island has:
- The world’s 12th-highest rate of testing per capita
- Five currently active cases, none of which are critical
“With the resumption of cruise traffic unknown at this time, the BTA encourages visitors to work with their trusted travel professional for hotel and air packages, or book directly with tourism partners in Bermuda.
“Information on Bermuda’s reopening plan and timeline will be updated as it changes, and can be found here”
As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- Live: Our continuously updated live blog here
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official: The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here
- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: Our new Covid-19 website here
I respect and admire the tentative plan to allow visitors to the island. I want us all to be safe. If all goes to current plans I will arrive July 4. I have been looking into the Covid 19 test because I was going to have one before I arrived anyway. What I am finding is the 72 hour test period with results in hand is very hard to count on. I am being told 24-48 hours for results. Very tight when you have to make a flight. I am still researching but adding another 24 hours to 96 hours should eliminate the issue. Just putting it out there. This 40+ visitor will find a way. See you soon!
I also agree. I have not problem getting the covid test – I am just finding it hard to have the results back within 72 hours in order to board the plane. Most places say 2-5 days for results. I am hoping they will give a little more time to obtain the test so that we make our much anticipated yearly trip to Bermuda.