Today the Minister of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities Sen. the Hon. Michael Fahy JP released some positive figures from the Tourism Measures - August 2016 Report, which is produced by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
The report showed that the total number of leisure visitors to the island for the month of August was up from 80,267 in August 2014 to 87,646 for August 2015 to 94,555 in August 2016.
The biggest increase in category of visitor was cruise ship visitors which went from 59,562 in August 2014 to 70,854 in August 2016. Air vacation and leisure visitors increased from 20,705 in August 2014 to 23,701 in August 2016.
Out of the total number of air visitors to Bermuda in August 2016, the most common purpose of their trip to Bermuda was Vacation and Leisure which made up 77 per cent of the total, while 12 per cent of air visitors were visiting friends and relatives, and business travel made up 10 per cent (one per cent stated 'other' as the purpose of their trip).
Also of interest, the number of air visitors to Bermuda who visited the island for business-related purposes increased from 2,714 in August 2014, to 2,977 in August 2015 to 3,042 in August 2016.
The number of air visitors who visited Bermuda as a destination wedding locale increased as well from 234 in August 2015 to 338 in August 2016.
One of the largest increases in total air arrivals came from the US, with 20,926 coming to Bermuda from the US in August 2014 and 24,242 coming to Bermuda from the US in 2016. Also, there was a 46.7 per cent increase year over year in the total number of air arrivals from Asia for the month of August.
There was an increase in hotel occupancy from 67.3 per cent in August 2014 to 71 per cent in August 2015 to 76.9 per cent in August 2016.
Minister Fahy said, "I am extremely impressed with and encouraged by these August results. It really bodes well for next year with the America's Cup getting underway and provides us with strong momentum heading into the off-season in Bermuda. There is much still to do but these numbers are certainly an indication that Bermuda is getting traction once again with travelers.
"I want to congratulate the Bermuda Tourism Authority for their efforts to attract visitors to our shores - efforts which are clearly paying off."