BTA: ‘All Indicators Predict A Busy Year Ahead’
“Travel is gradually returning to Bermuda, and all indicators predict a busy year ahead,” the BTA said, adding that the island’s hotels are “reportedly nearly sold-out for the upcoming SailGP events” in May.
A spokesperson said, “As Covid related travel restrictions continue to be eased, travel is gradually returning to Bermuda, and all indicators predict a busy year ahead. After two years of low demand and travel restrictions that crippled Bermuda’s tourism industry, local businesses are encouraged to prepare for a big surge in visitors in the coming months.”
“The island hotels are reportedly nearly sold-out for the upcoming SailGP events May 14-15,” said Bermuda Tourism CEO, Charles Jeffers II.
“We haven’t seen this kind of occupancy in years, and it looks to remain strong throughout the summer. I encourage all local businesses to be ready to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world, eager to return to Bermuda’s beautiful shores and the hospitality for which we are known.”
“For its part, the BTA is also staffing-up for a busy season ahead. Having operated with a fractional staff these past few years, BTA is actively hiring for several positions to help support the busy tourism calendar ahead. As always, the BTA will look to fill these open positions with Bermudians wherever possible.
“BTA’s leadership to help restore Bermuda’s tourism industry is more important than ever,” said BTA’s Chairman of the Board, Wayne Caines.
“As our destination marketing organisation, the BTA is responsible for raising Bermuda’s profile amongst leisure and business travellers and bringing events like the successful USATF event and upcoming SailGP that bring thousands of visitors and elevating Bermuda’s profile globally. This is vital to our economic recovery.”
The BTA said, “In addition to SailGP [May 14-15], the island will welcome the Clipper Around the World race in mid-June as well as sportfishing fixture, the Triple Crown Bluefish Championship [July 3-25]; Butterfield Bermuda Championship [Oct 20-23]; Black Golfers Week [Oct 24-31], and more.
“Meanwhile, the organisation will continue to promote the island’s homegrown celebrations to visitors, including Bermuda Day [May 27], Carnival in Bermuda [June 17-20] and the midsummer signature cultural event, Cupmatch [July 28-29].
“Tourism stakeholders and entrepreneurs can expect a welcome boost in tourism numbers in the coming months, and the Bermuda Tourism Authority has called for the wider community to prepare for the influx of visitors to our shores.
“From taxi drivers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and public transportation providers to retailers and entertainers, projections indicate there is tremendous potential for an industry-wide spike in revenues from tourism.”
True to form the BTA is taking credit for events that have been taking place in Bermuda for years. BTA is creating nothing new. As for full occupancy, there are so few bed nights available that full occupancy should be the norm. Probably why the TA is not being challenged, not enough accommodation for those still willing to visit, so no need to attract more. When the BTA can trumpet the arrival of 500,000 air visitors, excluding locals and business visitors, then they will have something to brag about and earn their money.
That press release could not have been more positive if it were written by the Premier himself!
Presently there are no electric cars available for hire, none at all, everything sold out.
My American guests thought it was hilarious, can you imagine going to USVI or Cayman and finding none available? And this is April, not high season.
There is no point in promising a tourism product if we cannot deliver.
How can they forget Newport Bermuda Race (June 17 – 25) with 215+ boats entered. Small race.
Well done!! Progress is definitely being made DESPITE the opinionists’ negative stand towards the government and the BTA.
Great news!!! Continue to persevere!!!
Lovely!!
So now we can have a “boat race” it’s a!lol good .
Thanks. OBA another job well done.
Hey “Straight”forward…it’s really nice of you to congratulate the OBA for enabling these races, and allowing Bermuda to finally make some money….as opposed to the current, bigoted government, who just spends money we don’t have.
It’s nice to see that you’re actually somewhat reasonable.
So we are liking sailing events now are we!!!
HYPOCRITES!
Perhaps before patting yourselves on the back for securing tourists you should look to the basics of what services could be made available for tourists while on island. I happened to be in St George’s at 9:30 this morning and was asked by a group of tourists where they could get a cup of coffee. I had no idea.
This government and or the BTA has the audacity to take credit for the upcoming events that were previously so harshly criticized by our esteemed premier and his colleagues. No shame, absolutely no shame!
…and the majority (true, born) electorate has about 5 seconds of memory…or, they’re willfully ignorant.
We certainly know they’re homophobic, so racism and general ignorance isn’t far behind.