Owen Darrell, the tourism minister, has attended a cruise industry conference in Miami, Florida, this week in a bid to boost cruise traffic to the island.

Mr Darrell said that Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 — which brought together more than 11,000 attendees from 120 countries — gave Bermuda an opportunity “to be front and centre in conversations that shape the future of the cruise industry”.

He said: “It was important to share Bermuda’s strengths as a destination, build meaningful connections and ensure our island remains a top choice for cruise lines and their passengers."

A ministry spokesman said the three-day summit “served as the ultimate platform for networking, collaboration and showcasing Bermuda as a prime cruise destination”.

He added: “Minister Darrell’s participation underscored the Government of Bermuda’s commitment to enhancing the island’s cruise tourism industry.

“By engaging with industry leaders and decision-makers, Bermuda sought to secure future cruise calls, foster new partnerships and explore the latest innovations in cruise tourism.

“The event’s sessions on emerging cruise destinations, sustainability and port development aligned with Bermuda’s strategic vision to enhance its cruise offerings and infrastructure.”

He said that Mr Darrell had “an action-packed” day on Tuesday when he met “movers and shakers” from a number of cruise lines.

The minister also met heads of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation to discuss regional cruise tourism collaboration.

The spokesman said: “Minister Darrell’s attendance at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 was a vital step in ensuring that Bermuda remains a competitive and attractive cruise destination.

“With cruise tourism playing a crucial role in the island’s economy, contributing significantly to local businesses, hospitality and job creation, Bermuda must continue to stay at the forefront of industry trends.

“By engaging with key stakeholders, the minister advocated for increased cruise traffic to Bermuda, supporting long-term benefits for the island’s tourism industry and local communities.“

While in Miami, Mr Darrell also talked up Bermuda’s tourism industry, telling attendees that the island was witnessing a surge in visitors.

In an article in Caribbean Journal published yesterday, Mr Darrell was quoted as saying: “Leisure arrivals are up 20 per cent compared to where they were last year.

“It’s a really strong start [to 2025]. We’re very optimistic as to what’s going to happen for the rest of this year.”

The article, headlined “Bermuda tourism is starting to surge, buoyed by hotel upgrades and a fast-growing airline”, said that there was “a new energy” in the sector.

It claimed that the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club was undergoing “a significant upgrade” to 113 rooms after “a major boost in investment from the island’s government”.

The article also noted that the Fairmont Southampton hotel was set for a major reopening next year.

It touted airline BermudAir for “rapidly expanding” since its launch in 2023, and noted that it served eastern seaboard cities in the US and Canada.

The article went on: “The latter is a market of particular interest for Bermuda, Darrell said, with tourism officials recently holding an event on opening day for the Toronto Blue Jays.”

The article gave Mr Darrell the last word.

He was quoted as saying: “Once people come to our destination, we want to really give them something.

“Gone are the days where people are only going for a beach. Cruise passengers and air visitors, too, seek cultural connections. They want to see the food and wine and the people and how we interact.

“We’re trying to get people and tell the story of Bermuda. We’re going to be celebrating the heritage and the everyday magic that makes us unique.”