By Michael Baginski/    It was a nice gesture – cruising around the islands of Toronto harbour (on a still chilly night in June, egads) – but the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s (BTA) trade event on Monday night certainly made one thing crystal clear: It would have been better to be in those islands (there are in fact, 181 of them).

The timing was also not a coincident, as several tourism ambassadors from the island – including three members of the national cricket team – were in town (and heading off to Montreal next) to promote the island in general and BermudAir’s new air service from the latter in particular, which takes flight tomorrow (June 12), joining existing flights from Toronto (five times weekly) and Halifax (three times weekly)

The airline’s Julie Rempel noted that Montreal (twice weekly) brings BermudAir’s rapid growth to 13 North American gateways that are now serving St. George’s in Bermuda (DBA) in the two years since the carrier launched in May, 2023.

She added that customers will receive the full Bermuda experience once they step on the plane, from colouring and other island touches, to being served a complimentary Rum Swizzle or Dark ‘n’ Stormy,’ the latter being Bermuda’s iconic national cocktail (made very specifically with Gosling’s dark rum and ginger beer). Additionally, Bermuda’s famed banana bread is sometimes on offer.

Moreover, flight time is only two hours from Canada, she noted, making the Bermuda ideal for both short and longer getaways.

Jamari Douglas, VP of Marketing for the BTA, agrees the increased lift from BermudAir’s Canadian connections – along with Air Canada’s legacy flights – helped the tourist authority recognize the great opportunity the Canadian market presents for the destination, prompting it to ramp up marketing here.

After years of focussing its efforts on northeastern U.S. cities, Douglas told Travel Industry Today, “We’re back (in Canada) and making noise.”

That includes having engaged a Canadian representation firm, Fever Pitch Communications, in March, with Douglas adding, “I’ve been here three times already this year.”

Douglas says the efforts are already bearing fruit, with Canadian visitations comprising about 230,000 a year and up 40% to date in 2025 over the same time last year.

The BTA exec says because of the two Commonwealth countries long ties, Canadians are familiar with Bermuda, though perhaps not in great detail.

To that end, he says the tourism authority is eager to pitch Bermuda as a premium travel destination rich in history, (multi)culture, food, and of course, with famous pink beaches and turquoise waters.

Moreover, great year-round weather presents opportunities for Canadians – not least golfers and spa-goers – to head down when “you’ve got snow up to your eyeballs and it’s 60 below,” he laughed.

Here are some of the latest developments and tour tips from the island, courtesy of the BTA:

New hotel developments

Bermuda is embarking on a transformative journey in its hospitality sector, marked by a series of strategic investments aimed at enhancing guest experiences and positioning the island as a premier destination.

• Hamilton Princess & Beach Club: The eye-catching ‘Pink Palace’ is now entering the fourth phase of its comprehensive refurbishment. The hotel is investing an additional US$21 million to revitalize the Harbour View Hall Room and the Princess Rooms, which are scheduled to be revealed later this year. Newly renovated rooms blend modern elegance with Bermuda’s timeless charm and will feature refined interiors, state-of-the-art amenities and panoramic views.
• Rosedon Hotel: This historic boutique property in Hamilton is undergoing a significant transformation to refresh guest rooms and the pool lounge area. Guests can currently discover the hotel’s latest dining edition Clarabell’s, an outdoor pizzeria set in lush gardens, as well as a stylish new poolside bar. The iconic Huckleberry Restaurant will also be refreshed, offering a more inviting and contemporary dining experience.
• Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa: After unveiling the newly renovated Palm Court dining room and guest bathrooms earlier this year, this Castle Harbour property is set to add more than 50 new rooms, as well as renovations to the beach terrace to increase capacity by 40%. This expansion responds to the growing demand for upscale, resort-style stays on the island. Grotto Bay remains the only property in Bermuda to offer an optional all-inclusive food and beverage supplement for guests.

Culinary

From fish sandwiches to foraged edible flowers, Bermuda’s original culinary experiences blend unique island flavours and rich cultural traditions.

• Fish Sandwich Tour: Bermuda’s signature fish sandwiches (served on raisin bread) are a national treasure, and sampling the island’s most delicious variations is a great way to spend a Sunday. In March 2025, Titan Tours launched a new signature Bermuda Fish Sandwich Tour, inviting visitors on a scenic and educational gastronomic journey with stops at the top-rated fish sandwich spots across the East End of the island, including SeaSide Grill, Mamma Mia’s and White Horse. Participants are encouraged to vote on their favourites and weigh in on the ongoing debate over the country’s best.
• Gosling’s Rum Tasting Cruise: Set sail on a 90-minute boat cruise on the calm waters of the Great Sound and learn the story behind Gosling’s Rum, Bermuda’s oldest business. An on-board rumologist will demonstrate the correct way to prepare Bermuda’s two most popular cocktails – the Dark ‘n’ Stormy and the Rum Swizzle – and passengers will have a chance to sample three different local rums, two mixed drinks and a selection of rum cakes.
• Wild Edible Foraging Tour: Vegan chef Doreen Williams takes visitors on a 2.4-km foraging journey of exploration and discovery on Coopers Island during her guided private and group tours, where every leaf blossom and berry holds the promise of a unique culinary experience. For seasoned foragers or a curious beginners, this unique experience unlocks Bermuda’s wild culinary treasures that are hidden in plain sight and reveals edible and medicinal plants, fruits and herbs along the way.
• Saturday Coffee Party: The daytime party vibes are buzzing at Brew during the weekly Saturday Coffee Party. The Hamilton coffee shop’s weekly event is the perfect kick-start to the weekend and features live DJs, dancing and a welcoming atmosphere that brings out locals and visitors. True to its name, the alcohol-free party offers a menu of Bermuda-inspired coffee, tea and smoothie beverages for an energizing experience without the hangover.

Summer festivals

Bermuda’s events and festivals bring out the best of the island. Throughout the summer months, visitors can experience prestigious sporting competitions and exciting celebrations of culture and community.

• Carnival in Bermuda (June 11-16): One of the newest and fastest-growing Carnivals in the world, Bermuda’s annual carnival celebrations fuse the island’s rich culture with the electrifying energy of a Caribbean-style carnival. As one of the island’s biggest summer celebrations, the six-day event features local cuisine, high-energy fetes, and the signature Revel de Road parade when where masqueraders take to the streets in stunning costumes to dance to the infectious rhythms of Soca music.
• Bermuda Pride (June 29-July 6): Each summer, Bermuda’s diverse LGBTQ+ community comes together for a series of events that aim to educate, inspire, honour and celebrate. The 2025 theme – Pride is Protest. Pride is Power. Pride is Us. – reminds revellers of Pride’s roots as an act of defiance and the strength and power the community holds to encourage inclusivity and equality. Bermuda’s Pride Parade takes place on July 5 with a march through the colourful streets of Hamilton to unite the community and allies.
• Cup Match Weekend (July 31-Aug. 3): Bermuda’s annual Cup Match is a giant, island-wide celebration that centres around a two-day cricket match between the rival clubs of St. George’s (in the East End) and Somerset (in the West End), while also honouring two national holidays: Emancipation Day, which celebrates the abolition of slavery, and Mary Prince Day, which celebrates Mary Prince, an  Abolitionist and National Hero. The heated but friendly rivalry runs generations deep, with Somerset supporters wearing red and dark blue and St. George’s fans sporting dark blue and light blue. The four-day weekend culminates in back-to-back parties with the Bacchanal Run (a J’ouvert-style road party with powdered paint) and the annual Non Mariners Raft Up, which features dozens of boats playing vibrant music in Mangrove Bay.

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