The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Bermuda Resort Hotel, which was just purchased by local Bermudian Peter Green and his two sons
The island of Bermuda is much more than what many
perceive it to be, and you discover that the more you look into
it. For one, many mistakenly think of it as a Caribbean
destination. Truth be told, Bermuda actually sits in the middle
of the North Atlantic. This central location, just a two-hour
flight from Charlotte, SC, means that it enjoys beautiful sunny
weather year-round without the oppressive humidity that
blankets the tropics.
The notion that Bermuda offers unexpected treasures is the
basis of the Bermuda Department of Tourism's new $4.8-million
campaign, "Bermuda - So Much More." It's a concept that also
easily applies to the island's infrastructure for holding
meetings.
"Bermuda has always been a prime destination for meetings, as
more than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies have set up
businesses here," says Karin A. Darrell, partnership manager,
worldwide groups, for the Bermuda Department of Tourism. "The
meetings business remains one of the strongest contributors to
Bermuda's tourism sector and continues to thrive. We expect to
see the MICE market continue to grow and, in fact, major
emphasis has been placed on this segment in the island's
recently unveiled national tourism plan."
Although Bermuda is only 21 square miles in size, it has plenty
to offer meeting planners, from luxurious resorts and exciting
museums to beautiful gardens and historical venues. It's also
budget friendly. All meetings held on Bermuda are U.S. tax
deductible, the island has no sales tax, and food and beverage
costs for group functions are not taxed either.
The surprises will only continue going into 2013, when the
island expects to see more airlift from the mainland U.S., as
well as new hotel improvements and developments.
Beginning in April 2013, Delta Airlines will start daily
year-round service between New York's La Guardia International
Airport and Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport, making
it even easier for U.S. travelers to head to the island. In
April, U.S. Airways relaunched its seasonal nonstop service
from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall
Airport to Bermuda through November 2012. From most of the
Eastern U.S. coast, the flight time to Bermuda is a mere two
hours or less. "This makes it possible to travel to the island
in the morning or afternoon and hold the first meeting or
function that same day," says Darrell.
On the hotel side, many of Bermuda's landmark properties are
undergoing major renovations, including The Fairmont Hamilton
Princess, Bermuda Resort Hotel, which was just purchased by
local Bermudian Peter Green and his two sons at the end of
September. Green acquired the legendary 127-year-old property
with the intent to execute a major revamp that represents an
investment of $550 million. More recently, the property debuted
its renovated Bay Wing, now called Bermudiana House, which has
113 newly designed guest rooms that reflect the hotel's
Victorian heritage.
The Fairmont Hamilton Princess's sister property, The Fairmont
Southampton, Bermuda Resort, also recently completed its guest
room and public spaces renovations, including its restaurant,
which is now called the Ocean Club. The Mid Ocean Amphitheatre
also received new draperies, and the hotel now has more than
1,000 brand-new banquet chairs for event functions.
Looking ahead, it seems, there is plenty for both planners and
travelers to discover on the island of Bermuda.