Bermudian employment in the hotel and restaurant industries could take a hit in 2026 as employers struggle to find the new recruits they seek.

And for the first time in six years, hotel industry properties will have to compete with their largest competitor, as the Southampton Princess Hotel is expected to return to operation.

Both industries sometimes struggle to keep the local staff they do manage to recruit.

One hotelier has suggested strategies to develop more “off-season” events to strengthen the tourism numbers and lengthen employment for full-time hotel workers.

Peter Lewington, the operations director at Rosewood Bermuda, said: “We would like to be 100 per cent Bermudian in our recruitment. It makes complete economic sense.

“We wouldn’t have to get housing for our staff. We would develop local skills and it would be a circular economy. The money would stay in the local economy.”

But he believes more can be done in the slower months that may attract more visitors and maintain higher levels of employment.

“I think there can be a joint effort among the hotels, the entertainment industry and the government to bring people in and have tournaments, or some sort of event in the winter and therefore we would need more staff in the winter,” Mr Lewington said.

Some properties are coming off a successful 2025 season, with Rosewood Bermuda emerging from the quiet winter with already nearly a full house for some days this week.

Meanwhile, at Wednesday’s Hospitality Career Fair employers sought entry-level jobs in a number of departments.

They have resolved to seek out high school students who may want training and part time work to help pay for college tuition.

The model is popular in larger countries, including the UK, the US and Canada. Some students continue from high school through college years with sometimes steady employment during the holiday months.

The November 2024 Labour Force Survey reported that youth unemployment in Bermuda had fallen significantly, with the rate for young (16 to 24-year-old) workers dropping to 3.4 per cent.

The notable improvement in the labour market has meant an overall low unemployment rate and rising median incomes, according to the report.

Hotels are anticipating strong tourism numbers this year, expecting that the rising tide of a revitalised Fairmont Southampton will lift activity at all properties.