The latest tourism figures show visitors staying longer during a traditionally quiet time for arrivals — and airline capacity has also grown, according to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The BTA yesterday published its performance statistics for the Island, showing a 1.9 percent rise in room nights booked for the month of March over last year, from 22,985 to 23,416.

For the year to date, room nights have risen just over one percent, from 52,147 to 52,672.

Hotels’ average daily rates for the year to date rise three percent over last year, with revenue per available room up by 7.2 percent, according to figures published online at the BTA site.

The organisation called the next year “promising”, with 7.5 percent more room nights booked over last year. Group room nights rose 12.5 percent.

Air visitor arrivals for March dropped 1.9 percent against last year: 15,015 versus 15,309 — and year to date arrivals dropped from 31,300 to 30,971.

Airline capacity has risen for the year to date: available seats rose from 106,144 to 110,826.

Bill Hanbury, CEO, called the rise in room nights during a period of decreased arrivals “an accomplishment”, showing that visitors were staying longer and spending more at the Island’s hotels.

“It is also important to note that the increase in airline capacity shows confidence that demand for Bermuda and performance in the future will increase,” Mr Hanbury said.