Regional leaders heard about developments in Bermuda’s tourism industry during a weeklong event in New York recently.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, attended Caribbean Week, which was hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation marking its 35th anniversary, the Government said.

Held under the theme “Connecting the Globe, Celebrating Diversity”, the event brought together the region's tourism representatives and industry leaders.

A government statement said that Mr Darrell had talks with regional leaders and highlighted “the significant strides” the Bermuda Tourism Authority has made to market the island globally.

Discussions included “engaging conversations on the airline and cruise industry developments”.

Mr Darrell said: “Bermuda’s relationship with the CTO is integral to our tourism development.

“We collaborate and share ways to move forward together as leading regional destinations. We accomplish far more together than we can apart.

“I am encouraged by the level of engagement between ministers and tourism commissioners at industry conferences, including the CTO’s flagship event, which builds investor confidence in our tourism product in the long run.”

He added: “The future of tourism for Bermuda is bright.

“We expect accelerated growth in visitor arrivals and the development of engaging tourism products on the island to cater to a diverse range of travellers.”

Mr Darrell took part in several events during his trip, including a business and tourism marketing symposium, Caribbean Tourism: Shaping the Future, which highlighted the latest market trends directing the region.

The government statement said: “There was also a forum focused on the industry’s trajectory with respect to leveraging the use of artificial intelligence in tourism marketing.”

The forum included presentations from I. Chester Cooper, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of the Bahamas, Edmund Bartlett, the Minister of Tourism in Jamaica, and Kenneth Bryan, the Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, and the CTO chairman.

The statement added that Mr Bryan recently visited the island for Bermuda Day festivities as part of a regional cultural exchange.

Samal Duggins, the Minister of the Creative Economy, Entertainment and the Arts of St Kitts & Nevis, also attended the Bermuda Day events.