Bermuda Tourism Numbers Continue to Climb;
First Quarter 2007 Visitor Arrivals Up 23%
HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 5, 2007 - Bermuda is back and the numbers prove
it! By the close of the first quarter 2007, Bermuda experienced a 23 plus
percent increase of visitor arrivals compared to the same period last year.
This increase marks the highest first quarter visitor arrival statistic
since 2000. Of these visitors, 45,825 came via air, representing a 17.8
percent increase over air arrivals through the same period in 2006 and
2,765 came via cruise ship, an impressive 550.6 percent increase compared
to the same period last year.
"With the increase in air carriers to the island, a rise in hotel development,
Bermuda's annual lineup of signature events and the announcement of the
PGA Grand Slam of Golf, there is no doubt that 2007 is going to be a record
breaking year for Bermuda," said Bermuda's Premier, Minister of Tourism
and Transport, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP.
Bermuda Soars: In the second quarter of 2007, JetBlue Airways introduced
daily service from Boston's Logan International Airport to Bermuda and
Delta Air Lines introduced a new daily flight between New York's LaGuardia
Airport and Bermuda. Starting the second week in June, United Airlines
will offer weekly Wednesday and Sunday flights out of Chicago O'Hare and
American Airlines will increase the frequency of its Miami service to five
times a week.
Bermuda Makes Room: As of December 31, 2006, Bermuda was home to 2,824
visitor rooms and an estimated bed count of 5,698. For the month of April,
hotel occupancy rates jumped to an average of 76 percent. That is an 11
percent increase compared to the same time last year. Moving forward numbers
are slated to continue to boom as average hotel occupancies for the remainder
of the year are already nearing capacity.
All Fore Bermuda: For the first time in history, the PGA Grand Slam
of Golf will take place in Bermuda. Zach Johnson's win at the Master's
has anticipation rising to see who will join him in the season-ending showcase,
featuring golf's premier foursome. The event will be hosted by The Mid
Ocean Club and The Fairmont Southampton and will be held October 15-17,
2007.
Sing Bermuda's Praise: Last year's Bermuda Music Festival brought some
of the best and brightest Bermudian and international entertainers to the
custom- built stages of the Royal Naval Dockyard. This year, from October
3rd through 6th, visitors will once again have the chance to enjoy an amazing
four days of sun, surf and song during the 12th annual Bermuda Music Festival.
About Bermuda:
Bermuda, just under two hours from East Coast gateway cities, stretches
for 21 miles along turquoise waters, surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral
reef plateau. Bermuda's diverse activities offer an array of vacation options,
including more wreck dives than anywhere else in the world, championship
golf, horseback riding, world-renowned deep sea fishing and smooth pink
beaches to rest on by day's end.
Accommodations range from luxury resorts to intimate guest cottages
and family-run inns, all incorporating the sophistication and hospitality
unique to the Bermuda experience. For more information, visit http://www.bermudatourism.com
or call 800-BERMUDA (800-237-6832).
The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization
comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized
experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving
millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its
founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position
in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its
premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs,
significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf
promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game,
serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout
the country. For more information on the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, please
visit http://www.PGA.com.
Please note that all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from
Bermuda will be required starting January 8, 2007, to have a PASSPORT or
other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality
to enter or re-enter the United States. |