The Bermuda Tourism Authority has reported “notable“ increases in air arrivals and spending, hotel occupancy and cruise passengers for the third quarter of the year.

Bermuda welcomed 50,407 leisure visitors by air, marking a 13.1 per cent increase on the same period last year. These visitors generated a total spend of $114.1 million, representing a 24.9 per cent year-on-year increase.

Average spend per leisure air visitor rose to $2,264, an increase of 10.4 per cent compared with Q3 2023.

There were 221,589 cruise passengers arriving in Bermuda in the third quarter, up 12.9 per cent.

While Bermuda welcomed 32 yachts, including five superyachts, a similar number to previous years, year-to-date figures show a notable increase in both calls and direct economic impact.

Hotel occupancy rose by 5.3 per cent year-on-year while revenue per available room was up 9 per cent.

Holiday rentals saw a near-stable occupancy rate.

The BTA introduced multichannel sales and marketing efforts to support flights from Washington and Baltimore, which contributed to increased visitation from these areas.

Airlift increased 21.2 per cent, or 27,705 additional seats, but the BTA said a cap on hotel capacity during peak periods served as a limiting factor on the volume of seats sold, which rose 10 per cent, or 10,350 seats.

Tracy Berkeley, the chief executive of the BTA, said: “Our targeted strategy for sustainable tourism growth continues to bear fruit, and we’re encouraged by the positive trajectory we’re seeing across the industry.

“Through industry and governmental collaboration and aggressive marketing initiatives focused on our core markets, we’re reporting results that reflect our commitment to a balanced year-round approach.

“Our team has been working diligently to support the industry through workforce training, innovative experiences, multichannel visibility in core and emerging markets, and renewed sales partnerships with both group and leisure travel planners.

“We look forward to building on this momentum going forward.”