Air arrivals in Bermuda rose by 6 per cent and leisure arrivals by almost 7 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2025 — and flights from New York, the largest source market, grew by more than 5 per cent.

This contributed to 42,468 total visitors during the quarter, with 1,400, or 3.5 per cent, more year-on-year.

Tourists also spent more on the island year-on-year — with per-person spending rose 7 per cent to an average of $1,878 and total air visitor spending grew 13.9 per cent to $55 million.

Leisure visits to the island from Canada increased by more 43 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the Bermuda Tourism Authority reported.

Figures from the authority’s quarterly report showed flights from Canada contributed to 28.6 per cent of total air arrivals to Bermuda, as well as a 22.1 per cent increase in air travellers from Britain, including 35.6 per cent growth in people travelling here for leisure, year-on-year.

In a statement, the BTA explained: “Bermuda’s hotels likewise recorded growth in both Average Daily Rate and Revenue Per Available Room.

“Growth was broad-based, with increases recorded in five of seven spending categories including entertainment, sightseeing, shopping, accommodation and dining.”

The BTA added: “Supporting a more year-round and sustainable tourism industry, sports tourism continued to play an important role in driving group business and visitation during shoulder periods.

“Across nine sports tourism activations and two conferences held during the quarter, more than 2,500 visitors contributed approximately 5,900 room nights during the shoulder season.”

Activities during this time included the Bermuda Triangle Challenge, which attracted 1,500 visitors, golf tournaments, the Caribbean Pickleball Championships and a swimming retreat.

The BTA added that air capacity and arriving passenger volumes grew 8.8 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively, despite “operational headwinds early in the year, including 36 flight cancellations in January and February resulting from winter storms impacting the US Northeast”.

The statement explained: “While geopolitical uncertainty has contributed to rising fuel costs and anticipated increases in airfares, particularly affecting long-haul and more complex itineraries, Bermuda continues to experience stable demand.

“In addition, progress on hotel developments across the island is expected to bring additional room inventory online this year, supporting future growth opportunities.

“Bermuda’s predominantly affluent visitor base, with average household incomes of approximately $260,000, together with strong forward travel intent for 2026, supports a positive outlook as the BTA continues to monitor evolving global conditions.”

• To view the Quarter 1 Tourism Measures in full, see Related Media

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