AGP Executive Report

Tourism Outlook: Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Jan Hutton told the Caribbean tourism conference that visitor spending is rising, hotels are performing strongly and air and cruise satisfaction has topped 90 out of 100 for a second year. She sees room to attract visitors across more of the year. Island Recognition: Bermuda has been named the region’s top island by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the fourth straight year, scoring a personal best of 95.24. SailGP 2027: Ticket packages are available for the May 1–2 races at Morgan’s Point. SailGP+ presales begin October 23, with general sales opening October 27. Visitor Experiences: Bacardi’s Art of the Pour competition drew more than 500 guests to its Hamilton headquarters as part of Taste of Bermuda, with eight local hotels, restaurants and bars competing. Regional Tourism: Bermuda Tourism Authority chairman William “Billy” Griffith has been reelected chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Allied Board for 2026–2028.

Tourism Leadership: Bermuda Tourism Authority chairman William “Billy” Griffith has been reelected to lead the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Allied Board for 2026–28, bringing decades of tourism experience to the regional role. SailGP 2027: Ticket packages are on sale soon for the Bermuda Grand Prix, returning to Morgan’s Point on May 1–2. Presales begin October 23, with general sales opening October 27. Island Appeal: Bermuda was named the Caribbean and Atlantic’s top island in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the fourth straight year, scoring a personal best of 95.24. Air Safety: Search teams are still working to locate the wreckage of the Bermuda-to-Boston medical jet that disappeared off Nantucket on October 3. All six people aboard are presumed dead; an oceanographer says underwater searches can take weeks.

SailGP 2027: The Bermuda Grand Prix returns to Morgan’s Point on May 1–2, with ticket presales opening October 23 and general sales on October 27. Four packages will include waterfront viewing and VELA Beach Club hospitality. Top Island: Bermuda has been voted the Caribbean and Atlantic’s No. 1 island in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for a fourth straight year, with its score rising to 95.24. Visitor Capacity: Growing international business is boosting demand for hotel rooms, while the Fairmont Southampton is expected to reopen next year. Cruise Options: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 Norfolk itineraries will include Bermuda among stops on six- to eight-day cruises. Fred. Olsen has also announced a 2028 sailing combining Bermuda, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Top Island Honours: Bermuda was named the Caribbean and Atlantic’s No. 1 island in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the fourth year running, with its score climbing to a new high of 95.24. Business Travel: More than 750 insurance and reinsurance leaders from 15 countries attended Bermuda’s international life and annuity conference; about half travelled from overseas. Tourism Outlook: Leisure visits rose about 12% from January through August, while air visitor spending reached $204.6 million in the first half of 2026, up 7.9% year over year. The Fairmont Southampton is now expected to reopen in 2027. Cruise Connections: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 sailings from Norfolk will include Bermuda, alongside Caribbean and Bahamas destinations.

Tourism Performance: Bermuda Tourism Authority figures show leisure visits rose about 12% from January to August, while air visitor spending reached $204.6 million, up 7.9%. Air and cruise satisfaction remained above 90 out of 100, but the Fairmont Southampton is now expected to reopen in 2027. Air Links: BermudAir is adding nonstop service from Florida to Bermuda, Belize and Turks & Caicos, with introductory fares from $99. Cruise News: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 Norfolk sailings will include Bermuda alongside Caribbean and Bahamas destinations. Hotels & Experiences: Hamilton Princess ranked No. 2 among Atlantic island resorts in a Condé Nast Traveler survey. Verdmont will host a free Art House open day on October 17, with artist demonstrations, family activities and guided tours. Bermudian Flavours: A new feature explores how the island’s cultural history comes through in dishes such as raisin-bread fish sandwiches and rum-splashed chowder.

Tourism Growth: Bermuda’s visitor economy is gaining momentum: leisure visits rose about 12% from January to August, air visitor spending reached $204.6 million in the first half, and air and cruise satisfaction scores topped 90. The BTA also reported the busiest cruise month in more than a decade. Hotel Update: The Fairmont Southampton’s full reopening has been pushed to 2027, despite strong hotel performance elsewhere. Air Links: BermudAir is adding nonstop services from Florida to Belize and Turks and Caicos, as well as Bermuda, with introductory fares from $99. Cruise News: Carnival has opened bookings for 2028–29 Norfolk sailings that include Bermuda. Visitor Experiences: The Bermuda National Trust will host a free art-and-history open house at Verdmont on October 17. Aviation Tragedy: The six people aboard a medical flight from Bermuda to Boston that crashed off Nantucket are presumed dead; investigators are continuing to seek the aircraft’s recorders and wreckage.

Air Ambulance Recovery: The search for wreckage from the Bermuda-to-Boston air ambulance crash is continuing, with investigators seeking the flight recorders to help determine what happened. Six people, including two Bermudians, were aboard. Tourism Growth: Bermuda Tourism Authority figures show leisure visits rose about 12% from January through August, while air visitor spending reached $204.6 million in the first half of 2026, up 7.9% year over year. Air and cruise visitor satisfaction topped 90 out of 100 for a second year. Hotel Update: The Fairmont Southampton is now expected to reopen in 2027, later than previously hoped. Cruise Options: Carnival Freedom’s newly announced 2028–29 Norfolk sailings include six- to eight-day trips to Bermuda, alongside destinations in The Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and Canada. Taste of Bermuda: A travel feature spotlights the island’s fish sandwich—fresh-caught snapper on raisin bread—and Hook N Cook’s fishing-and-lunch excursion. Sailing Life: A family cruising the world by yacht shares its approach to Bermuda after a second Atlantic crossing.

Aviation Recovery: The search for wreckage from the Bermuda-to-Boston air ambulance continues off Nantucket. Investigators are also seeking its flight recorders; six people, including two Bermudians, were aboard. Tourism Performance: The Bermuda Tourism Authority reports leisure visits up about 12% from January to August and first-half air visitor spending of $204.6 million, a 7.9% year-over-year rise. The Fairmont Southampton’s full reopening has slipped to 2027. Air Links: BermudAir announced new nonstop services connecting Florida with Bermuda, Belize and Turks & Caicos, with introductory fares from $99. Cruise News: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 Norfolk sailings include six- to eight-day trips to Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and Canada.

Cruise Tourism: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 Norfolk sailings will include Bermuda on six- to eight-day itineraries, alongside upgrades to the ship. Visitor Growth: Bermuda’s leisure visits rose about 12% from January to August, while air-visitor spending reached $204.6 million in the first half of 2026, up 7.9%. The BTA also said the Fairmont Southampton is now expected to reopen in 2027. Air Links: BermudAir is offering $99 introductory fares on select new routes, including Orlando Sanford–Bermuda, for travel by December 18. Aviation Investigation: Canadian and U.S. teams are preparing to search for the recorders from the medical flight that crashed off Nantucket en route from Bermuda to Boston; all six aboard, including two Bermudians, are presumed dead. Island Experiences: A feature on Bermuda’s fish-sandwich tradition highlights food as a draw for visitors, while the Bermuda National Trust will host a free art and history open house at Verdmont on October 17.

Air Ambulance Investigation: Canadian and US investigators are preparing to search for the black boxes from the medical jet that crashed off Nantucket while flying from Bermuda to Boston. All six aboard are presumed dead, including two Bermudians. New Air Links: BermudAir is offering introductory $99 fares on new routes, including Orlando Sanford–Bermuda, and is expanding its Fort Lauderdale service to Belize and Turks and Caicos. Tourism Leadership: Bermuda Tourism Authority chairman William “Billy” Griffith has been re-elected to lead the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Allied Board for 2026–28; Tourism Minister Owen Darrell also represented Bermuda at the group’s regional conference in Guyana. Hotel Recognition: Rosewood Tuckers Point ranked first among Atlantic island resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ awards, with Hamilton Princess second and The Loren ninth. Cruise News: Carnival Freedom’s 2028–29 sailings from Norfolk will include Bermuda, the Bahamas and other Caribbean stops. Food and Experiences: A new travel feature spotlights Bermuda’s fish sandwich and fishing excursions, with local wahoo or snapper served on raisin bread.

Cruise News: Carnival Freedom is set to return after a 35-day refurbishment, with six- to eight-day sailings from Norfolk in 2028–29 calling in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and Canada. Air Service: BermudAir is offering one-way fares from $99 on select new routes, including Orlando Sanford–Hamilton, for travel by December 18; the sale runs through October 19. Bermuda Resorts: Rosewood Tuckers Point topped Condé Nast Traveler’s Atlantic Islands resort rankings, with Hamilton Princess second and The Loren at Pink Beach ninth. Aviation Investigation: Canadian and U.S. teams are preparing to search for the black boxes from the medical aircraft lost off Nantucket while flying from Bermuda to Boston. All six aboard, including two Bermudians, are presumed dead. Tourism Outlook: Tourism Minister Owen Darrell represented Bermuda at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s conference in Guyana, where regional leaders discussed smart, sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Air Ambulance Investigation: Canadian and US investigators are heading to Nantucket to help locate the aircraft and black boxes from the Bermuda-to-Boston medevac flight. The six people aboard, including two Bermudians, are presumed dead. BermudAir Routes: The airline is offering $99 one-way introductory fares on new nonstop services from Fort Lauderdale to Belize and Turks & Caicos, and from Orlando Sanford to Bermuda. Book by October 19 for travel by December 18. Hotel Honors: Rosewood Tuckers Point ranked No. 1 among Atlantic Islands resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ awards, followed by Hamilton Princess at No. 2; The Loren at Pink Beach placed ninth.

Hotel Recognition: Hamilton Princess & Beach Club ranked No. 2 among Atlantic Islands resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, scoring 99.17. Island Appeal: Bermuda placed third among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the magazine’s rankings, behind Barbados and St Barts. Tourism Leadership: Tourism Minister Owen Darrell is at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s conference in Guyana, where regional leaders are discussing smart, sustainable and inclusive tourism. New Events: Race World Offshore is exploring Bermuda as a venue for powerboat racing, though organisers say they need a local partner to help advance plans. Travel Disruptions: A Delta flight diverted to Bermuda for a medical emergency left passengers facing an overnight stay and lengthy customs delays in Boston. Air Ambulance Tragedy: The Coast Guard has suspended its search for six people aboard a medical flight from Bermuda to Boston, including two Bermudians; Canadian investigators are leading the inquiry.

Powerboat Racing: Race World Offshore is exploring Bermuda as a host for professional powerboat events, but says it needs a local partner to help work through logistics and engage Government. Island Appeal: Bermuda placed third in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Caribbean and Atlantic island rankings, scoring 97.10, behind Barbados and St Barts. Air Travel: A Delta flight diverted to Bermuda after a medical emergency, leaving passengers stranded overnight; some said they faced confusion and delays before continuing to Boston. Medevac Tragedy: Six people aboard an air ambulance travelling from Bermuda to Boston are presumed dead after the aircraft disappeared off Nantucket. Visitor Experience: A frequent visitor says the changing rooms at Horseshoe Bay remain in poor condition, calling for attention to the facilities at one of Bermuda’s best-known beaches.

Aviation Disruption: A Delta flight from San Juan to Boston diverted to Bermuda after a medical emergency, leaving passengers stranded for nearly a day, with hotel check-ins running into the early morning and delays tied to customs issues on the return. Tragedy at Sea: Bermuda’s links to a major air ambulance disaster deepened as the U.S. Coast Guard and Bermuda Police identified a Bermudian mother and son (Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66, and Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41) aboard the Heartbeat 104 Gulfstream G100, with the Coast Guard later suspending the search after debris was found off Nantucket. Investigation Update: Canada’s Transportation Safety Board is leading the probe into what happened on the Bermuda-to-Boston medevac flight, with recovery efforts expected to begin as authorities coordinate for a ship to search the area. Local Travel Notes: Bermuda Hotel Association appoints Greg Ramey as new chief executive, while a reader complaint calls out ongoing problems with Horseshoe Bay changing rooms. Sports & Tourism: Barbados names its squad for the 2026 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon in Bermuda (Oct 23–25), and Bermuda’s national men’s bowling team heads to the IBF World Cup in Germany (Oct 12–21).

Air Ambulance Tragedy: Bermuda’s medical evacuation flight Heartbeat 104 (Gulfstream G100) that vanished off Nantucket has moved from search to recovery, with the U.S. Coast Guard suspending the search and Latitude Air Ambulance saying all six aboard are presumed dead. Victims Identified: Bermuda Police named patient Marilyn Lavonne Bean (66) and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore (41); the Coast Guard released the four Canadian crew: Captain Philip Gregory Childerhose, First Officer Thomas Henry Farquhar, flight nurse Sarah Jane Paton, and respiratory therapist Jolene Beth Weir. Local Response: Government and community leaders offered condolences, while Latitude paid tribute to the crew as more details emerge from the investigation. Tourism & Travel: The Bermuda Hotel Association appointed Greg Ramey as CEO, effective Oct. 1, as the industry looks ahead to the season. Homelessness: Bermuda’s national plan to end homelessness is underway, with Astor House expanding transitional support and case management. Sports & Community: John Barnes and Andy Cole unveiled a Peace Bench at the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence, and Bermuda’s men’s bowlers head to the IBF World Cup in Germany.