Highest number of visitors in recorded history for Bermuda

Saturday, February 10, 2018

2017 “brought the highest number of visitors to the island in recorded history,” the Bermuda Tourism Authority said, adding that “the 692,947 total arrivals is the best statistical performance dating back to 1965.”

Previously, 2007 was the industry’s high mark; Additionally, year-end hotel occupancy passed the 60 percent mark for the first time since 2007. “Bermuda’s tourism industry achieved its most impressive performance in a decade last year with the number of leisure air visitors and the money they spend on-island surging to double-digit percentage growth,” the BTA said.

All key performance indicators for the tourism industry finished higher in 2017 when compared to the previous year:  air leisure spending up 22.5% , cruise spending up 7.6% , Leisure air arrivals up 11%  and  hotel occupancy up 9.2%.

“Beginning in 2014 the Bermuda Tourism Authority began a multiyear strategy to restore the island’s tourism industry to prominence. Last year was a major stride forward on that journey,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Executive Kevin Dallas. Further driving optimism is the number of visitors under 45 years old, which continues to power the Bermuda tourism industry comeback. About 83% of the growth in leisure air arrivals in 2017 is from visitors younger than 45. It’s an audience that also had spending power in 2017.

The total estimated amount directly injected into the island’s economy by visitors in 2017 is $431 million, which represents a sizeable 20% increase over the previous year. Bermuda’s tourism industry has been resurging since 2015, particularly over the past two years where the island has enjoyed eight consecutive quarters of leisure air arrival growth and increased leisure visitor spending.

In 2017, the 35th America’s Cup played a critical role in driving demand and higher visitor spending, not only in May and June but throughout much of the year.

Vacation Rental Market Performance, “The number of visitors who chose vacation rentals when they traveled to Bermuda surged 133 percent in 2017 versus 2016, according to Airbnb data shared with the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Meantime year-end hotel occupancy passed the 60 percent mark for the first time since 2007.

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