Special promotions in golf and retail in coming weeks aspire to rally the community and support local businesses and jobs as the island readies for air visitors to return next month.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) recovery roadmap includes a dedicated golf promotion to champion the island’s clubs starting June 29, plus two additional campaigns to support independent retailers in July. Further promotions are in the pipeline for other sectors of the tourism economy.

“The gradual reopening of Bermuda and gradual return of commercial flights mean visitor demand across the tourism economy will be soft—at least initially,” said BTA Interim CEO Glenn Jones. “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is supporting industry stakeholders by encouraging local residents to participate in these initiatives, as we work to capture the imagination of consumers looking to travel again.”

Last month, the BTA outlined plans to pivot to an “inside-out” approach, creating a rolling calendar of initiatives and new online web pages designed to drive local traffic to hospitality businesses while border restrictions barred non-residents. Even as scheduled commercial air traffic re-starts, targeted marketing can stimulate local purchasers as a complement to a slow return of visitors:

• Bermuda Golf Week, starting June 29

• Retail promotion with local entrepreneurs, starting July 1

• Virtual Harbour Nights, slated for weekly activations beginning late July in partnership with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce

Further details on each will be announced soon. Tourism partners looking to register in any of the promotions should email experiences@bermudatourism.com

International commercial air service resumes July 1 under the Bermuda government’s fourth phase of economic reopening. It follows more than 14 weeks of border-entry restrictions in the island’s successful bid so far to manage the pandemic’s impact on Bermuda’s public-health capacity.

The BTA’s internal COVID-19 Stakeholder Taskforce, comprising team members in its New York and Bermuda offices, launched a dedicated page on GoToBermuda.com promoting more than 150 operational businesses, including food and beverage outlets, online music and health & fitness courses, and retailers offering products for both on-island customers and those overseas.

• Press release from the Bermuda Tourism Authority