New polls reveal that tourists would recommend visiting Bermuda to their friends and family.

Of the 532 visitors polled at the LF Wade International Airport, 92 percent said they would "definitely" recommend the Island.

The exit survey also revealed that 51 percent of the visitors who fly to Bermuda earn more than $150,000 a year, an increase of 14 percent compared to 2006.

Minister of Tourism and Premier Ewart Brown said: "This number is particularly pleasing because high income earners typically have more to spend when they vacation. Other destinations would kill for this quality of visitor. This is further confirmation that our tourism product is on the right track.

"It's interesting to note that with the introduction of low cost carriers we've been able to attract a higher income visitor. This sort of data proves that our 'feel the love' marketing strategy is working overseas."

He added that these numbers would help build momentum for the next phase in the tourism industry, delivering luxury accommodations and services. He dubbed the next phase the "platinum period".

"This is a phase of new luxury hotel accommodations, luxurious transportation options and high-end customer service — St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, new limousine services, our fast ferries — these are some of the components that will anchor our soon coming platinum period," he said. "I think the platinum period is the perfect vision for Bermuda because we can never be a high volume tourist destination — we don't have the beds and we don't have the available land.

"So we need to be focused on attracting a high quality visitor with the resources to enjoy all that Bermuda tourism has to offer."