The Bermuda Tourism Authority’s New York office will close its doors on January 16, with all staff switching to remote working.

A press release issued today by the authority described the change as part of a “broader strategic initiative to enhance organisational resilience and operational flexibility”.

The office is on the twelfth floor of 675 Third Avenue in Manhattan and the BTA said that the building was recently sold for residential use.

Erin Wright, the authority’s acting chief executive, said the “timing aligned nicely with our longer-term objectives”.

She added: “This shift reflects BTA’s commitment to building a modern, flexible operating model that supports both our team and the evolving needs of our stakeholders.

“Our New York employees remain a vital part of our US presence and this transition enables us to continue delivering high-quality service while strengthening our long-term agility.”

Bermuda has had a tourism presence in New York for decades.

The former Department of Tourism was based at 310 Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in the 1980s, moving to 205 East 42nd Street in 1998.

It eventually moved to Third Avenue and became the BTA’s Big Apple base after the authority was launched in 2014.

It was reported in 2016 that rent for the Third Avenue premises was the largest single contract held by the authority. The six-year contract with Royal Realty Corporation was for $2.4 million.

In 2020, the New York office was said to have a staff of 19.

Today’s press release did not provide the number of employees based there now.

It said the move to remote working would be phased in this month and next, with the final in-office workday on January 16.

“Employees will begin a phased transition to remote working, starting December 15, in alignment with the company’s structured transition plan,” it said.

The BTA insisted the change was “not a departure from its US market activity” and that “all services, programmes, initiatives and market operations” would “continue without interruption”.

The press release said that the publicly funded BTA would “continue to maintain an active presence and engagement with [its] local team members, partners and industry stakeholders”.

It added: “Since its formation in 2014, the BTA has operated its New York office in Midtown Manhattan, occupying the space previously held by the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

“As the organisation prepares for its next chapter, this transition represents an important milestone.”

Jamari Douglas, the BTA’s vice-president of marketing, public relations and communications, said: “We are confident this is the right strategic move for the organisation, while recognising the depth of our longstanding connection to our primary market.”