Hurricane Nicole may have dealt a blow to this month’s tourism figures, but the Bermuda Tourism Authority said hard work by the island minimised the impact.

Glenn Jones, director of public and stakeholder relations, said: “Like the rest of our community, the tourism industry prepares meticulously for severe weather and works together to recover quickly after the storm passes. Bermuda’s collective performance is impressive when it comes to hurricanes — and travellers notice.

“Undoubtedly there were cancellations as a result of Hurricane Nicole, but we expect they were minimised because Bermuda is so strong.

“Bermuda is on track this year to welcome the most visitors to the island since 2008 and to be back online within 24 hours of such a major storm is a testament to Bermuda’s dedication to hospitality. For example, hotels such as Fairmont Southampton and Grotto Bay entertained guests during the storm with a Hurricane Party and Rum Cake Bingo respectively. The Hamilton Princess was fully operational through the storm, including Marcus’ restaurant. And planes touched down on Friday with new visitors ready to soak up island life in Bermuda.”

He added that people associate hurricanes with island life this time of the year, but Bermuda’s preparedness and resiliency sets it apart in the eyes of travellers. In the wake of the storm, the BTA sent out a message to tourists saying that Bermuda had weathered Hurricane Nicole well and remained open for business.

The message, sent out on Friday, noted that hotels, the airport, the Causeway, all major roads and all public parks and beaches had already reopened.

“Hurricane Nicole, a dangerous Category 4 storm, hit Bermuda yesterday toppling trees, flooding neighbourhood streets and knocking out power to 90 per cent of the island,” the statement continued.

“However, strict building codes and a tireless commitment to hurricane preparedness have paved the way for a comprehensive recovery effort immediately following the storm. By Friday morning, more than half of those to lose power had been restored. There were no major injuries nor loss of life as a result of Hurricane Nicole.

“Visitors travelling to Bermuda should check with their air carriers and cruise lines to ensure scheduled service has resumed. Upon arriving in Bermuda they will discover a magnificently hospitable and resilient people, splendid seaside vistas and effortless luxury — the same traits the island has been known for since 1609.”