Almost $1 million will be invested in home-grown ideas from local entrepreneurs as part of the 2015 tourism mix, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said at the conclusion of its annual Tourism Experiences Investment process this weekend.

There were 40 successful applications for 2015 in the categories of Sports, Arts and Culture, New Experiences or Marketing Support. “We are proud to say we had a very strong collection of home-grown ideas from the public,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experiences officer for the BTA. “We spent a considerable amount of time educating entrepreneurs with our lunch-and-learn series earlier this year and it paid off.

“The ideas were far better aligned with our overall strategy for tourism growth than the last time around. In fact, two thirds of those who attended our seminars and submitted an application were successful.”

Overall, 55 per cent of applications were successful, an improvement over the last process in April, in which the success rate was about 40 per cent. The Product and Experiences team says the quantity of applicants decreased while the quality of applications increased, which suggests entrepreneurs better understood the criteria for success.

However, the full amount of 2015 Tourism Experiences investment will not be known until the new year when post-event reports from a handful of 2014 awardees whose events were recently completed, or have not occurred, yet are due. Recurring Tourism Experiences must prove certain objectives were met before being awarded funding in the next year. The final BTA investment in home-grown ideas for 2015 is likely to exceed $1 million.

“We’re certain to invest a greater sum in home-grown ideas than we did in April shortly after the BTA was formed,” Mrs Phillip-Fairn said. “I think that is a testament to the quality of Bermudian innovation, especially in the area of new experiences.

“Entrepreneurs have studied our strategies and come to us with ideas that help the Product and Experiences team meet its objectives of improving the visitor experience.”

New Experiences

Thirteen new experiences applicants will receive $344,500 in investment because their unique and authentic ideas are designed to help to set Bermuda apart from competing destinations.

The ideas range from personalised yacht charter tours through the Island’s hidden coves to spectacular aerial tours on a Cessna aircraft to a dynamic shoreside food court serving up authentic Bermudian dishes.

“The team was particularly excited about the strength of applications in the new experiences area,” Mrs. Phillip-Fairn added. “People came in with ideas that hone in on Bermuda’s natural beauty, but in an enterprising and innovative way.

“Everyone understands we need imagination to revitalise our tourism product and we believe we have a collection of new ideas that will put us well on our way to accomplishing that goal. It’s no mistake that 42 per cent of the investment funds dedicated thus far for 2015 are going to new experiences.”

Some of the most exceptional new experiences ideas need seed money to get off the ground. As the BTA’s powers of authority enables the organisation to grant loans, interest-free loans are being offered to those particular applicants to ensure their experiences are implemented as quickly as possible.

The list includes tour experience Scootcoupe, Funworx hydro-bikes, a Shelly Bay Beach experience, Pilot Gigs Rowing Regatta and Soma Sailing.

“We viewed these ideas as literally too good to pass up and we want to see them start-up quickly,” Mrs Phillip-Fairn said. “We have offered seed money and repayment terms, and we hope these entrepreneurs will accept the offers and deliver on their wonderful ideas.”

Sports

Ten sports-related Tourism Experiences earned investment funds totaling $228,600. Two of them — Marion-Bermuda Yacht Race and Bermuda Marathon Weekend — were elevated from Tourism Experiences to Signature Experiences.

“Signature Experiences have proven track records for driving visitors to Bermuda and stimulating economic activity, or they have the potential to advance the BTA’s core objectives in a significant way,” Mrs Phillip-Fairn said. “The Marion-Bermuda Yacht Race and Bermuda Marathon Weekend easily qualify under those criteria.”

Arts and Culture

Eleven arts and culture Tourism Experiences received $240,000 in investment funding from the BTA. Beachside activities at Tobacco Bay and an international Town Crier Competition are on the list, as are experiences built around local food, art and music.

Some of the funded Arts and Culture experiences are strategically positioned between November and March, which the BTA has rebranded Arts and Culture Season. This includes Hubie’s Nights by Chewstick which will begin in February and span multiple months.

Marketing Support

Six Tourism Experiences will receive marketing support from the BTA because their idea or event fits well with Bermuda’s existing marketing strategies. The 2015 Tourism Experiences to receive marketing support in this manner include two events with BTA stakeholders at the City of Hamilton — Bermuda Fashion Festival and City Art Festival.