Bermuda’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Kyle Swan, believes the island is missing an opportunity to weave fireworks displays into community events, tourism initiatives, calendar and holiday celebrations.

The island’s pyrotechnician and owner of Swan Pyrotechnics is already on board for everything from presentations for birthdays to larger shows for corporate events.

But he believes that opportunities exist that would be a bonus for tourism and increase spending at Harbour Nights and anytime the community gets together in the evening.

Bermuda’s time zone, he said, is perfect for the annual televised new year’s countdown when broadcasters throw to TV stations in different countries just as their countdown and fireworks celebrations begin.

“After the London show ends,” he said, “there is nothing. There’s a gap until New York. But we are here.”

He sees Bermuda being featured right after London.

Mr Swan said: “Cities and countries around the world invest heavily in fireworks because they understand the value. They use them to launch festivals, celebrate milestones and anchor tourism campaigns.

“They recognise that fireworks are not an expense; they are an investment in visibility, engagement and economic activity.”

His vision of Bermuda’s tourism renaissance includes pyrotechnic displays that would be available for a multitude of occasions. And when Bermuda lights up, it will attract more attention from people around the world.

He proposed: “Imagine Harbour Nights closing with a signature fireworks display that draws thousands.

“Imagine holiday parades ending with a sky that lights up the island. Imagine visitors planning; their trips around can’t-miss Bermuda events that are known and shared worldwide.

“These are not distant ideas. They are achievable realities.”

Mr Swan sees pyrotechnics as one of the world’s largest and most powerful forms of entertainment, but he says Bermuda has only scratched the surface.

He said: “Since 2018, Swan Pyrotechnics has been working to change that. We have committed ourselves to delivering world-class performances—shows that punch well above what is expected from a jurisdiction of this size. We believe Bermuda deserves nothing less.

“The island already offers some of the best natural beauty and hospitality in the world; the opportunity now is to match that with equally compelling entertainment experiences.

“Fireworks are a proven marketing engine. They create instant visibility. They give visitors something to talk about, something to post, and something to come back for.

“In today’s digital world, a single, well-executed fireworks display can travel across the globe in minutes through social media, showcasing Bermuda as vibrant, exciting, and alive.”

He said to unlock that will require collaboration within the community.