BTA Releases 2024 Mid-Year Tourism Report for Bermuda

• The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) released its visitor metrics for the first half of 2024, revealing significant growth in both air and cruise arrivals, alongside increased visitor spending and notable shifts in travel trends.
• According to officials, Bermuda welcomed a total of 61,619 leisure air visitors during the first six months of 2024, marking an 11.4% increase over the same period in 2023. These visitors contributed an estimated $132.3Mn to the local economy, representing a year-over-year increase of 31%, with an average spending of $2,147 per person.
• Although the average length of stay decreased slightly to 6.13 days from 6.4 days in 2023, and hotel occupancy dipped by less than 1 percentage point compared to the previous year, the island’s hotels saw a 9% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR). This is reflected in higher spending by visitors, which continues to support the local hospitality industry.
• Cruise tourism also experienced robust growth, with Bermuda welcoming 234,790 cruise passengers in the first half of 2024, an increase of 12.3% over 2023. This influx of cruise visitors has contributed to the island’s economy, particularly for local service providers, entertainment, and the transportation sector.
• Further, the sovereign now boasts the highest number of direct routes in its history, with sixteen at the peak this summer. Air capacity to Bermuda for the first half of the year was up 28% and, for several months, exceeded the numbers seen in 2019.
• Tracy Berkeley, CEO of Bermuda Tourism Authority said, “The first half of 2024 has shown promising growth across our key tourism measures. The increase in visitor spending, the rise in air, cruise and yacht arrivals, and the rebound in leisure travel demonstrate the resilience and appeal of Bermuda as a premier destination.

 (Source: BerNews)