Over 200 People Attend BTA Tourism Summit
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] shared highlights of the Bermuda Tourism Summit 2023, held on November 28th at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club.
A spokesperson said, “With over 200 attendees, the summit united tourism industry leaders, government officials, businesses, and community members in their commitment to bolstering Bermuda’s tourism ecosystem.
“The event commenced with a warm welcome from Hon. Owen Darrell, MP, Minister of Tourism, Youth, and Sport, emphasising the importance of collaboration in Bermuda’s tourism industry. BTA Chairman Wayne Caines followed with an inspiring address, highlighting the need for innovation and adaptability in today’s competitive landscape.
“CEO Tracy Berkeley, in her opening speech, emphasised the progress made over the past year, including transitioning to a more stable tourism landscape, targeted sales efforts and a huge focus on raising awareness of the destination. Notable achievements included the launch of BTA+, an online learning platform, and the successful “Lost Yet Found” marketing campaign.
“During the beachside chat, the audience was surprised by a touching gesture from Ms. Olamide Olowe, Founder and CEO of Topicals, a rapidly growing beauty brand. She announced a generous $10,000 donation to the Women’s Resource Centre, showcasing her commitment to the local community and leaving attendees moved by her unexpected act of kindness.
“The beachside chat also spotlighted the partnership between BTA and Topicals, with Ms. Olowe sharing her inspiring journey with Bermuda and Bermudian photographer Mr. Dion Easton Jr reflecting on his experience working with Topicals.”
“Reflecting on the success of the Bermuda Tourism Summit 2023, I am inspired by the passion and dedication of all who participated. It’s clear that the summit has reinvigorated our collective commitment to Bermuda’s tourism industry. Moving forward, we recognise the importance of improved communication, both within the BTA and with our valued partners and stakeholders. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of tourism, we must work together in more strategic ways to ensure our island paradise remains a top-tier destination for travellers worldwide,” said CEO Tracy Berkeley.
The spokesperson said, “The audience also gained valuable insights from the panel discussion. In 2024, air capacity is set to grow by 20%. 2023 marked a turning point, with passenger numbers recovering more quickly than capacity, prompting airlines to add more flights for 2024. April and May will see an exciting milestone as Bermuda’s air capacity exceeds 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic began. BermudAir is now in operation, and airlines like JetBlue, United, and American Airlines are expanding their services to meet demand. More routes are now served to Bermuda than pre-pandemic, including restoring all previous routes and adding Ft. Lauderdale, Westchester County, and Azores.
“The success of the Bermuda Tourism Summit 2023 reflects the resilience and determination of Bermuda’s tourism industry. CEO Tracy Berkeley emphasised the importance of collaboration and unity in navigating the evolving tourism landscape, ensuring Bermuda remains a top-tier travel destination.
“The Bermuda Tourism Authority thanks all attendees, partners, stakeholders, and the dedicated BTA team for their commitment to Bermuda’s tourism. The summit provided a platform for constructive dialogue, innovative ideas, and a shared vision for the industry’s growth and sustainability.”
BTA needs to concentrate more on how tourists are treated once they make the effort to get here because bad experiences travel faster than good. For example transportation is not coordinated and this needs to be a priority. Cruise ships arrive but the support services are closed or cancelled. Tourism is still not taken seriously by the BTA or Government. Getting awards for marketing seems to be the main objective. If arrival figures were good, the few hotels operating would be running at 100% occupancy, but they are not.
Unfortunately, the BTA cannot control what the PLP Government does.
The BTA’s job is to attract tourists to Bermuda. Once the tourists get here it is for the PLP Government to provide transportation and a safe and welcoming environment for them.
A list of attendees would be interesting. Specifically, how many accommodation owners and managers were there? How many attraction owners and managers were there? How many directly involved in the hospitality industry were there vs BTA and other Government staff having a local junket to sit around and talk about something that they have little involvement in?
A family of 5 who were visiting Bermuda had a bad experience when travelling on a bus. They will take that home with them! Not good advertising for our island!