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.
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