Sports tourism will be one of the main priorities in 2017 for the Bermuda Tourism Authority following an increase in funding.

The BTA has announced that 27 sport and adventure activities have had their applications approved in the annual Tourism Experiences Investment process, which financially backs home-grown ideas.

Long-standing events such as Bermuda Marathon Weekend and the Marion Bermuda Race will return as will the Bermuda Fly-fishing Invitational.

They will be complemented by a slew of other events which will be supported for the first time, including the Divas Half Marathon, the Bermuda International Match Series and International Women’s Keelboat Regatta. “Bermuda has transitioned from an emerging sports tourism destination to a premier sports tourism destination,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experiences development officer at the BTA.

“Not only do we have these 27 sport and adventure experiences in 2017, but we continue to bolster our reputation as a sports training destination and as the sailing capital of the Atlantic.”

“Although not part of the tourism experiences investment process, Bermuda will also host the 35th America’s Cup, Tall Ships Regatta, Red Bull Youth America’s Cup and other regattas in 2017, supplementing the existing nautical calendar which has grown significantly since December 2014 when Bermuda won the America’s Cup bid,” stated a BTA press release.

A minimum of $826,500 is slated for investment in 2017, covering 40 successful applications. In total, 16 of them are new — 14 in sport and adventure and two in arts and culture.