BTA Releases Q2 and Mid-Year Tourism Metrics
Leisure air arrivals edge upward, visitor spending increases, air capacity dips, and hotel sector enjoys solid performance
(Hamilton, Bermuda - August 19, 2025) - The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) today released visitor statistics for the second quarter of 2025, providing a mid-year snapshot of performance across accommodations, air, and maritime measures.
Leisure Air Arrivals & Spending
At the halfway point of the year, leisure air arrivals recorded growth of nearly 3% year-on-year, with the second-quarter performance holding steady at 0.3%. Vacationers arriving by air spent an estimated $2,235 per person in Q2, contributing to a year-to-date average of $2,133 per person and an aggregate spend of $134.9 million — an increase of 2% compared with 2024.
Family travel showed notable growth, with arrivals of children under 17 rising by nearly 10% year-on-year.
Air Capacity & Load Factor
Air capacity contracted in Q2, with available inbound seats down six percentage points to 151,632; year-to-date decline of just over 3%. The combination of a loss of 8,092 inbound seats and growth in arrivals this year has contributed to higher airline load factors.
Accommodation Performance
The ongoing absence of the island’s largest hotel and conference facility continues to affect performance in the accommodation sector, with Bermuda currently operating at approximately 75% of its 2019 hotel inventory.
Hotel occupancy grew by 4% year-to-date, while hoteliers reported an 8.4% increase in ADR and a 12.7% rise in RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room).
Cruise Arrivals
Cruise visitor numbers grew by 3% in Q2 - an expected seasonal uplift - but this was insufficient to counteract the reduced volume seen earlier in the year following a shift away from January–March cruise calls. As of June 30, 2025, Bermuda welcomed 210,947 cruise visitors, 10% fewer than during the same period in 2024.
The BTA anticipates that total cruise arrivals are not likely to meet 2024 levels; particularly in light of scheduled construction work at King’s Wharf which will begin in October 2025.
Maritime – Yachts & Superyachts
In Q2, Bermuda welcomed 68 superyacht calls - a 17% increase year-on-year - highlighting the island’s growing appeal in the luxury yachting sector. Standard yacht arrivals (excluding superyachts) were lower than last year, reflecting the biennial schedule of the coveted Newport–Bermuda Race. This prestigious event, held every other year, brings hundreds of participating yachts to the island - over 160 in 2024 - and will return in 2026.
Acting CEO Erin Wright said, “We are closely monitoring shifts in leisure travel behaviour from the US and other international markets to ensure our strategies remain responsive and relevant. Our focus is on sustaining progress, engaging our stakeholder community, and positioning Bermuda for continued success in a competitive global travel landscape.”
For full Q2 tourism performance measures report click here.
