Bermuda And Airbnb Partner To Offer A Seamless Vacation Experience

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbnb and the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) have partnered to streamline and enhance the on-island vacation experience. This fall, the BTA will begin marketing the destination across Airbnb's channels, reaching a vast audience of potential visitors who favour vacation rentals. As part of the island's Vacation Rentals Act 2018, Airbnb will collect the new 4.5 percent visitor fee on vacation rentals from guests staying at Bermuda Airbnb listings, offering a frictionless transaction for guests and hosts. The new partnership is part of BTA's ongoing efforts to support Bermuda's entrepreneurs and grow the island's tourism industry in impactful ways.

Additionally, beginning in 2019, Bermuda will be featured on Airbnb's new Experiences platform. Bermuda will be the fourth Experiences destination in the Atlantic/Caribbean region, following successful rollouts in Cuba, PR and Jamaica. Experiences are hosted by passionate locals who love sharing their community and expertise with guests by planning and leading experiences. Each Experience is featured on the Airbnb website and marketed to millions of Airbnb customers through the brand's website, social media and email channels.

"Hosting an Airbnb Experience is an opportunity for a Bermuda's host community to highlight his or her insider knowledge of the island and reach a worldwide audience of highly engaged travellers," said Kevin Dallas from BTA. "Airbnb customers align perfectly with several of Bermuda's target segments, including active families and experience enthusiasts."

"We are very excited about the launch of Airbnb Experiences in Bermuda," said Carlos Munoz from Airbnb. "The rollout of Experiences on the island is only possible because of the productive partnership with the BTA and we look forward to offering guests the heartfelt hospitality of our Bermudian hosts."

More details of the BTA / Airbnb partnership will be revealed at the Bermuda Tourism Summit, taking place on Oct. 24, 2018, at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

Starting Nov. 1, 2018, Vacation Rental Owners not listed on Airbnb will need to make their own payments monthly to BTA.

About Bermuda:
Out here is closer than you think. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina's coast, the island of Bermuda is just a two-hour nonstop flight from most eastern U.S. airports. Attracting adventure seekers, explorers, romantic and originals, Bermuda is where people, cultures and an alluring mystique swirl together, connecting visitors to a place far from everyday life. The island's legendary pink-sand beaches, frozen in time historic towns and pastel-colored buildings stand out at first. But it's Bermuda's original, ever evolving take on island life that brings travelers out here again and again. The Bermuda experience is elegant, relaxed and genuinely warm, celebrating cultures, reveling in nature and staying open to whatever is around the bend. Recently, the 35^th America's Cup, held in Bermuda May and June of 2017, brought a fresh energy to the destination with new and redeveloped hotels, must-visit attractions and restaurants adding to the island spirit. Visit www.gotobermuda.com, www.facebook.com/bermudatourism, and www.twitter.com/bermuda.