With COVID-19 largely in the rearview mirror, Bermuda tourism is back in Canada, rectifying a state of enforced neglect caused by the global pandemic. To that end, a delegation of representatives from the island, led by newly appointed Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) CEO Tracy Berkeley and VP of Sales and Development Devin Lewis, visited Toronto recently for a series of meetings with the trade, including a gala industry event at the Hotel X.
In an interview with Travel Industry Today, Lewis acknowledged, “Basically, we’re in town because we’ve been very quiet and we wanted to use this opportunity to come back and say, ‘Hey, Toronto,’ Bermuda is open for business, and remind them where we are and how to get there, and that we miss everyone and want to see them again very soon.”
Lewis admitted that Canada dropped out of focus for Bermuda Tourism during the pandemic, largely due to a late re-emergence from COVID restrictions by the island – no testing or proof of vaccination (it fully opened in Nov., 2022) – and a lean staff in the tourism department. But she quickly emphasized that Canada is a “extremely important market for Bermuda,” not least due to its proximity – “a two-hour-and-43-minute flight from Toronto.”
And she added, “We are slowly but surely re-amping and now we have the opportunity to not only come this time, but to start to look forward to 2024 planning and how we can be seen more in the market.”
And that includes a partnership with Air Canada, which serves the island from Toronto.
To support (and further encourage) that partnership, Lewis said, “That’s going to happen by being in the market, by us making big splashes, getting a little bit of press, these are the things that get attention…”
Lewis is eager to remind Canadians that while Bermuda is a small island – 41 km long – there is plenty to do, including golf (with seven courses to choose from) that are open for play during the Canadian winter.
And, of course, she noted, “We’ve got those pink sand beaches, and Horseshoe Bay is one of our most photographed beaches.
“We lean very heavily on the cultural side of a visit to a Bermuda,” she said. “Our story is, we want to make sure that when people come to visit Bermuda, that they feel that authenticity on the island – that they feel that when they leave, they’ve had enough interaction with the local Bermudians so that they feel like family, it feels like home, and they want to come back again.”
As for hotels, Lewis reports that the signature Fairmont Southampton is still closed (for renovation) and due to announce re-opening plans soon. The other Fairmont, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, meanwhile, has a completed refurbishments, including adding new meeting space.
Cruises, she notes, have also returned to the island, and are almost back to pre-pandemic numbers.
As for Canada, Lewis reiterates that the country is “very, very important to us. And as we are going through our rebuilding plan, you will see more and more of us in this area!”
Endless Summer Sale
Visitors are invited to extend the summer with the Bermuda’s annual ‘Endless Summer Sale,’ which offers of up to 30% discounts on island-wide accommodations. Bookings must be made by Oct. 15 and can be found at gotobermuda.com.