'Making Bermuda The Destination Of Choice' - Bernews

Following the release of the latest tourism figures which showed three straight years of growth, Minister of Tourism and Transport Zane DeSilva recognized BTA CEO Kevin Dallas, the BTA staff, and tourism stakeholders, saying “Bermuda should be immensely proud of the hard work and dedication you have all put towards making Bermuda the destination of choice.”

The Ministry said, “Tourism continues its upward trend, with the latest figures from the Bermuda Tourism Authority confirming three straight years of growth and the highest number of leisure air arrivals since 2002.

“2018 marked the third consecutive year of uninterrupted growth for Bermuda’s tourism sector. Year-over-year leisure air arrivals were up 11.7 percent.

“The extended fall cruise season [October to December] proved particularly strong with an additional 47,137 visitors compared with the 2014-17 average. Total leisure spending, combining air and cruise arrivals, increased 28%.”

Minister of Tourism and Transport Zane DeSilva said, “When I consider that this is the third straight year of growth for Bermuda’s Tourism Industry, I have to pause and recognize Kevin Dallas, all of the men and women of the Bermuda Tourism Authority and our tourism stakeholders.

“Bermuda should be immensely proud of the hard work and dedication you have all put towards making Bermuda the destination of choice, and helping improve our local accommodation, entertainment and activities.

“With cruise arrivals contributing the lions’ share of our tourism growth, however, it is time to focus our efforts on growing leisure air arrivals.

“More work must be done to encourage persons to fly to Bermuda, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and spend time enjoying all Bermuda has to offer. Only then, will all sectors of our tourism industry enjoy the full benefit.”

The 2018 Statistical Highlights from the BTA follow below [PDF here]: