Pivotal time as air transport evolves, summit hears
Regional air connectivity stands at a pivotal moment amid intense competition for airlift, attendees at a regional tourism summit heard today.
Dona Regis-Prosper, the secretary-general of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, said air transport was “not a luxury, it's our lifeline”, with the regions standing at “a pivotal moment — global travel is shifting”.
She spoke at the opening of the one-day Air Connectivity Summit at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, convened by the CTO in collaboration with the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Government.
The event, with more than 150 attendees, was held under the theme “Integrating Aviation Connectivity and Regional Tourism Development”.
It was joined by Caribbean ministers of tourism, diplomats, airline and airport executives, local and global tourism executives and aviation experts.
Ms Regis-Prosper said the forum allowed stakeholders to align strategies and address air connectivity challenges.
She added: “If you’re not connected, you’re not competitive — this is why this summit matters.”
Ms Regis-Prosper challenged attendees to “think boldly” about partnerships, data, route development and regional collaboration.
Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, welcomed delegates, noting that while Bermuda sits more than 900 miles from its nearest Caribbean neighbour, “that distance is merely geographical”.
“It does not and it cannot discount our deep family ties, our vibrant Afro-Caribbean pulse or the immense pride that we take in our heritage”.
Mr Darrell said the lineage of many Bermudian families “is a map of the West Indies”.
He urged attendees to acknowledge the importance of air transport as the “invisible bridges” to survival and success.
Mr Darrell said: “For island nations like ours, airlift is not merely a conscience of travel. It is the oxygen of our economy.
“It is the bridge that connects our shores to the global marketplace, allowing the world to discover the magic that Bermuda has to offer.
“Reliable air service is a cornerstone of our tourism industry, but its impact goes far deeper.
“It facilitates the trade that stocks our shelves, the business of travel that fuels our international sectors as well as the personal journeys that keep our families connected across the diaspora.”
Mr Darrell said that without robust and affordable airlift, “the vibrant fabric of our culture remains hidden from the world”.
He told attendees that while tourism is the second pillar of Bermuda’s economy, the island’s people come first.
The minister said: “It’s the Bermudian spirit, it’s our warmth, our history and our pride that transforms a beautiful beach into an unforgettable experience.”
Erin Wright, the acting chief executive of the BTA, said the summit was a timely reminder that air connectivity was not merely “routes on a map”, but resilience.
She said it was unfortunate that some guests were unable to attend because of bad weather conditions impacting the Northeast of the United States.
A massive snowstorm that pummelled the northeastern United States this week affected attendance at the Air Connectivity Summit in Hamilton.
Erin Wright, the acting chief executive of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said some delegates were prevented from travelling to the island through the US for the one-day event.
Blizzard conditions continued to hamper travel to the island today, with several flights delayed.
BermudAir gave an advisory that flight 2T241 from Newark to Bermuda was cancelled owing to “deteriorating weather conditions in the New York area”.
The airline’s flights from Baltimore and Boston were also delayed.
AccuWeather reported that the storm delivered extreme snowfall and powerful winds on Sunday and yesterday as the system strengthened into a bomb cyclone.
Ms Wright told attendees that Bermuda’s selection as the summit host was a meaningful responsibility “and one that we take seriously”.
She added: “While visitors reach us in different ways, airlift remains critical to longer stays, high visitor spend and sustained economic impact for our island.
“Reliable, competitive and sustainable airlift is not optional for us; it’s foundational, not only for tourism but for healthcare access, educational opportunities, business continuity and the daily connectivity that our residents depend on.”
Ms Wright said that Bermuda shares “important common ground” with its Caribbean neighbours.
“We are tourism-dependent, we operate in a highly competitive environment, we face seasonality, shifting demand patterns, rising costs and evolving travel expectations.”
Representatives of air carriers including JetBlue, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Inter-Caribbean Airways and BermudAir took part.
Participants discussed topics such as aircraft route development, the link between aviation and tourism, partnerships and enhancing visitor experiences.
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