A Government decision to allow visitors to stay in Bermuda for three months has been applauded by the Opposition and the Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA).National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief announced in the House of Assembly on Friday that as of May 1, visitors will be able to remain on Island for 90 days, extended from 21 days.Responding to the announcement, Shadow Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell said the decision will help numerous businesses across the Island.“Extending the period that tourists can stay in Bermuda is a positive development all around and something that we in the Opposition have been advocating for some time,” Mr Crockwell said.“Allowing those who wish to stay longer in Bermuda will benefit the numerous businesses that rely on the tourism dollar.“Hotels, restaurants and taxi operators would probably benefit the most and it could be an additional incentive for individuals interested in buying fractional units on the island. We in the One Bermuda Alliance are please with this decision by the Government.”Hotelier David Dodwell said the change in policy would reduce the need for applying for extensions, something he said hotels often do for their guests.“We didn’t want the guest to have to struggle with that themselves,” he said. “After all, it would be strange to them as they wouldn’t know where to go and what to do.“These are the kinds of changes that need to be made in order to allow us to be more competitive in the marketplace. Anything we can do to minimise impediments to our customers would be welcome.”His sentiments were echoed by BHA President John Harvey, who said: “We applaud this new policy as we have advocated an increase in the length of stay for our hotel guest for many years.“This development will cause our guest not to go through the inconvenience of having to disrupt their vacation and deal with the Department of Immigration simply because they wish to stay longer in Bermuda.“I also believe that this will be welcomed by some of our senior visitors who tend to stay longer in Bermuda, particularly during the November to March period and perhaps we can give this some extra promotional support going forward.”Mr Perinchief said that the move would support the fractional housing product, making Bermuda a genuine second home for those who can afford it.The decision has already been praised by the Chamber of Commerce, with Chamber President Buddy Rego saying he was delighted.“This is good for restaurants, shops, taxis, hotels and guest houses and the entire Bermuda business community family that can now say ‘welcome!’.”