More Canadians flying to Bermuda could help offset lower air arrivals from the US this summer, according to the Association of Canadians in Bermuda.

ACB's President Charline Cormier said the arrival of low-cost airline WestJet's seasonal service from Toronto, starting on May 3, has been a welcome addition for Canadians living on the Island, as well as their friends and family who have wanted to visit them for years.

"It has been my personal experience, and the experience of many of our membership, that the high cost of airfare to Canada had been a barrier to more visitors to the Island," said Ms Cormier. "Before the WestJet announcement the airfare was fluctuating between $450, if booked months in advance, to over $1,200 for something far sooner." Previously, Ms Cormier said Canadians trying to visit the Island often found it cheaper, but more time consuming, to fly through the US.

The high cost meant that many friends and family, hoping to escape the Canadian cold, found it difficult to come to the Island for a holiday particularly as other warm destinations were much cheaper to get to.

Ms Cormier added: "Due to the high cost our friends and family would have to be very deliberate when making a choice to come to Bermuda for a visit, and that is with us here egging them to come down. Many are coming from cities in Canada that do not have an international airport and do not have US carrier connections, so Air Canada was the only choice."

Flights out of Pearson International Airport can accommodate 166 passengers and planes leave Toronto at 10.20 a.m. and Bermuda at 3 p.m.

Last week WestJet held a 72-hour sale, which saw round trip tickets, including tax, going for as low as $222.

Canada's dollar is now on par with the US dollar and its economy has fared better than many others during the recession, something Ms Cormier said makes the timing of the new flight service perfect. In particular, she thinks that more Canadian visitors could help offset lower air arrivals from the US, which is still recovering from a weak economy.

Asked what type of tourists should be targeted, she said: "One group that might need mentioning is the Canadian Snowbird — and I don't mean the Canadian Forces 413 Demonstration Squadron.

"Of course I am talking about the retirees that shelter from the harsh Canadian winter in the Southern United States. They are a practised group of travellers who, with the right targeting, could see the "Old Bermuda" vacation style as a nice change of pace — made possible by attractive pricing from competition.

"With the appointment of a tourism office in Toronto, Bermuda may begin to see some new faces, that could become regular yearly visitors." Earlier this month the Department of Tourism announced Ontario-based Robin Danes was awarded the position of Director of Sales for Canada and will be in charge of providing sales support to retail, wholesale and incentive trade in Canada.

Looking forward Ms Cormier hopes the Department will look into a weekly flight from a Canadian city in the west. Currently there is a weekly Saturday flight from Halifax on the east coast during the summer, but the only way to get to Vancouver and other western cities is to fly through Toronto.

"Travelling to Toronto and waiting at Pearson for several hours for another flight here I am sure keeps some away," she said. "A direct flight from Calgary on a Saturday would open up Bermuda as a destination to many who would otherwise rule it out."