Tourism stakeholders have been given an insider’s view of some of the activities, projects and benefits that the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup is bringing to Bermuda.

Peter Rusch, the America’s Cup Event Authority and Oracle Team USA public relations and communications director, expressed excitement, commitment and enthusiasm for Bermuda as the event’s destination to Skal Bermuda members at their February meeting.

“There has been overwhelming satisfaction by the America’s Cup teams and support staff for Bermuda as the headquarters of the event,” he said.

“The synergy with Bermuda and the America’s Cup has led to the development of programmes to leave a sporting legacy in Bermuda.

“The best examples of this are AC Endeavour and Team BDA, which is preparing to compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.”

Mr Rusch highlighted the America’s Cup Endeavour programme, which recently gifted five of 15 restored Optimist dinghies to local youth sailors in Bermuda and aims to provide unique sporting and educational opportunities for youths across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Team BDA, meanwhile, is in the team development stage with a programme to attract the best local sailors and athletes who will be equipped to compete in 2017 at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup with the world’s best young sailors in foiling high-performance catamarans.

According to Mr Rusch, the America’s Cup has also generated a number of other sailing events for Bermuda, including the first RC44 regatta and World Match Racing Tour qualifying regattas.

President of Skal Bermuda, Barbara O’Shaughnessy, said: “As stakeholders of the tourism community, our Skal members were excited to hear from someone who has the inside track regarding both the America’s Cup and the Oracle team and hear of the wonderful activities, projects and benefits for Bermuda during the next 18 months.

“The global scope of the America’s Cup events means that Bermuda is being promoted around the world as the teams compete in the ‘Race to Bermuda’ around the world in 2015 and 2016, leading to tremendous awareness and exposure for Bermuda.”

Skal Bermuda was established 54 years ago as part of a global organisation, Skal International, which brings together all branches of the travel and tourism industry.