An international travel conference is set to be held on the island in what the Bermuda Tourism Authority described as a “double win”.

The 32nd Educational Travel Consortium Signature Conference is expected to bring more than 400 travel planners and tour operators to the Bermuda in February.

The conference is expected to pump an estimated $830,000 into the local economy while highlighting the island as a destination.

Christi Tucker, business development manager for the BTA, secured the ETC group with assistance from Fairmont Southampton — the event’s host hotel.

Ms Tucker said: “This conference is a double win. Not only is the ETC coming to a destination outside the United States for the first time, it’s bringing very influential travel planners out here.

“These decision-makers are in critical positions to bring more conferences and group travel to Bermuda in the future.”

ETC members represent higher education alumni groups, museums, zoos and conservation and cultural organisations, focusing on “experiential travel”.

While on the island, attendees will experience Bermuda’s culture first hand, allowing them to better promote Bermuda as a destination.

The visit will also result in at least 2,000 room nights for local hotels during the slower shoulder season.

This month, Ms Tucker hosted key officials from ETC on a site visit that included time at Carter House with Heritage Bermuda, a collection of historical and cultural organisations in Bermuda.

Rick Spurling, chairman of Heritage Bermuda, said: “This extremely important conference will be a major catalyst for tourism in Bermuda.

“All heritage experience providers in Bermuda from the Gombeys to the museums are dedicated to Bermuda’s fascinating culture and history and can’t wait to tell it and show it — not only next February — but for many years to come.”