The Bermuda Tourism Authority are banking on more tourists visiting the East End beaches this spring ­— particularly Clearwater and Tobacco Bay — as construction work finishes at Horseshoe Bay, widely regarded as the island’s most popular beach.

BTA CEO Kevin Dallas told east end tourism stakeholders at an annual meeting last night his team would encourage visitors and locals typically bound for the Southampton beach to consider Clearwater and Tobacco Bay while Horseshoe is readied for the summer.

A transportation improvement project at Horseshoe Bay closed the beach’s roadway entrance earlier this year, which meant the concessionaire couldn’t deliver supplies for beachgoers.

The beach’s entrance and its concessionaire will reopen on Good Friday for one day, but will close again until crews have given the okay.

Horseshoe Bay beach and its restrooms will remain open to beachgoers, but only via Chaplin Bay where taxis and minibuses can drop off passengers and a downhill footpath across the street from Southampton Rangers Club that bus passengers are encouraged to use.

A BTA spokesman said it would be between one and three weeks after Good Friday before access for vehicular traffic is restored. That three-week period will include 12 cruise calls spread across all three of Bermuda’s cruise ports.

“Our research tells us visitors very much value beach concessions so it’s our responsibility to explain where to find those amenities and how to get there,” said Mr Dallas. “It’s not ideal but it’s a great opportunity for east end businesses and for transportation providers.

“This week we’ve been reaching out to encourage them to respond to this opportunity.

“In the east end, Tobacco Bay Beach and Clearwater Beach, for example, offer a full range of concessions and represent two of the five beaches in the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Beach Economy Vision. Concessionaires at both locations say they will be ready to welcome visitors and local guests.”