A policy to allow group business to return to Bermuda is close to completion, the Premier has said.

David Burt added that the Government would work to bring group business back to bolster the tourism industry.

Mr Burt said that the Government had finalised a policy to help encourage the safe return of group business to hotels and other establishments.

“We recognise that the large gathering process can take a while and that uncertainty makes it difficult to plan events.

“To streamline the process around gaining exemptions for large group sizes and large group gatherings, hotels and other event venues are looking to implement a plan so that they can secure group business and bookings.”

Mr Burt added: “To date, these venues have lost a tremendous amount of business because there is no framework in place that allows them to promote their safe operations which meet all public health guidelines.

“Our aim is to allow venues to grow their market share in this area and continue to extend the recovery in additional sectors of the economy that depend on this business.”

Stephen Todd of the Bermuda Hotel Association said a clear policy would be important to help group business return to the island.

Mr Todd added: “Anything that allows us a better ability to bring future group bookings to the destination is important, not just from the standpoint of the hotels, but for transport providers and restaurants and other businesses.

“It’s a positive step.”

He said that group business was important for large and medium-size hotels such as the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club and Rosewood Tucker’s Point.

Mr Todd added that groups have already started to contact hotels about the possibility of organising group events on the island.

He said: “As we see the rollback of the current restrictions, we are going to see more and more of that business being able to come back.”

Mr Todd said that he believed more details about the policy would be released in the near future, which would allow hotels and other service providers to let potential customers know what they could offer.