The State of Tourism 

Mr. Speaker, as we look back at the third quarter of 2022, Bermuda has seen momentum build after two years of a decimated global tourism industry. By the end of August, Bermuda welcomed over 98,000 air visitors to the island. While we are seeing growth, year-over-year, we have not yet achieved the volumes of 2019. The Bermuda Tourism Authority projects Bermuda’s year-end visitor volume to be approximately 56% of 2019.

Mr. Speaker, some tourism measures have exceeded 2019 figures. Per person spending by air leisure visitors was up by 32% this summer. This means that today’s leisure visitor provides more value to the economy. More is being spent in Bermuda’s hotels, shops, and businesses at $2,030 per person than they did individually in 2019 when each air leisure visitor spent $1,534 on average. The average length of stay year to date shows that Bermuda’s leisure visitors are booking vacations that are 11% longer than in 2019.

The vacation rental category connects a wide cross-section of Bermudians with a new category of visitors looking to explore Bermuda from a local vantage point. It has been a vital shot in the arm to a segment of locals…