Bermuda is on the verge of welcomed improvements in tourism numbers with the expected opening of the Fairmont Southampton in the months ahead.

But continued weaknesses in public transport bring concerns about how the island would deal with an increase in numbers.

Recent years have seen difficulties moving visitors from cruise ship ports and the airport. How resolved the transport issues are may not be fully tested until the realisation of the 2027 tourism season.

On an island where tourism services should be deep and should operate like clockwork, a visitor has urged the island to improve, after her group’s visit to Somerset Cricket Club was delayed because of difficulties finding an efficient way to get to Sandys.

She was among a number of visitors grappling with the added pressures of the Cup Match holiday, with additional limits found in hospitality and retail.

“We were waiting an hour [for the bus]. We had to take a cab [from Smith’s to the City of Hamilton],” she said.

“Bermuda, you are a beautiful island, but you got to be better than this.”

Many of the tourists we spoke to were caught by surprise at the holiday closures, or that they were for two days.

While most seemed to take it in stride, it was clear there were eyebrows raised.

Casey’s Bar and Lounge was among those businesses that continued to operate, serving food, music and a chance to watch the game among a mixture of locals and tourists.

Gladwin “Roots” Phillips said: “Every year we are open on Cup Match, both days. We have food and we have the air conditioner going because it is hot outside.”

While some retailers would miss out on two days of commerce, there is a heavy trading in the days and weeks leading up to the annual holiday. Many people are buying food, camping, beach and boating supplies, in addition to seasonal fashions.

Some visitors noted that what Cup Match would mean to their Bermuda trips was not as clear in advance of their plans to book a holiday.

One visitor noted with a laugh: “I was made aware that it was going on, that it was a big event. I knew it was going to involve some sort of shutdown, but I didn’t realise it was this level of mass closure that was going to happen.

“Literally everywhere is closed because everybody is at the Cup Match. I knew of it, but I was surprised at the extent.”

He agreed with his partner, though, that there was a silver lining to it all.

He said: “With how quiet it is [and because] some of the beaches can get really crowded, perhaps we can take advantage of that.”