Bermuda targets superyacht growth after record season

Bermuda is using Monaco Yacht Show to turn a record superyacht season into more long-stay visits, charter business and owner engagement for 2027 and beyond. The Bermuda Tourism Authority says the island’s third year at the show marks a shift from awareness-building to conversion as it expands industry partnerships and infrastructure plans.

Why it matters: - Bermuda is trying to turn rising superyacht interest into measurable tourism revenue, more guest spending and longer stays on the island. - The strategy matters for 2027 and beyond because Bermuda is positioning itself as a stronger stop on the international superyacht calendar. - The Bermuda Tourism Authority says the effort is meant to create broader economic opportunity across the island.

What happened: - Bermuda used its third year at Monaco Yacht Show to deepen relationships with owners, captains, brokers and charter specialists. - The island is building on its most successful superyacht season to date. - More than 80 superyachts visited Bermuda during the latest season. - Close to 30% of those vessels carried guests on board. - Jan Hutton, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said the focus has shifted from introducing Bermuda to the industry to discussing specific visits, future yacht programmes and charter opportunities.

The details: - Bermuda’s Monaco programme centered on a new partnership with Northrop & Johnson. - The week opened with a reception for new captains, brokers and industry partners. - The partnership continued through Northrop & Johnson’s closing gala. - Bermuda also leaned on its relationship with BOAT International. - A curated owners’ lunch created direct conversations about future visitation, individual yacht programmes and Bermuda’s role in upcoming cruising schedules. - The BOAT International relationship continued through its wider Monaco programme and closing gala. - Bermuda expanded its work with Fraser through the company’s Captains Soirée, which drew more than 400 members of its community. - Bermuda integrated destination moments into that evening to strengthen ties with captains and industry professionals. - Bermuda delivered destination presentations to leading superyacht houses and key charter brokers. - Those discussions covered longer stays, more guests ashore and charter opportunities in 2027 and beyond. - The presentations also addressed access, infrastructure, guest experience and itinerary development. - Bermuda’s Monaco activity extended into the broader luxury travel ecosystem through the Wheels Up media presentation. - The presentation created connections across private aviation and other services tied to yacht owners, guests and executives. - Bermuda highlighted island infrastructure developments during the week, including expanded dock capacity and plans for shore power. - The destination says those upgrades are aimed at accommodating larger vessels and meeting modern superyacht expectations. - The Bermuda Tourism Authority is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, and also maintains an office in New York City. - The authority promotes Bermuda as a destination for leisure travel and group business. - More information is available on the Bermuda Tourism Authority website.

Between the lines: - Bermuda is moving from market awareness to deal-making. - That shift suggests the island believes demand now exists to support a more commercially focused superyacht strategy. - The emphasis on infrastructure, charter activity and longer stays points to a bid for higher-value visits, not just more visits. - Hutton said consistent presence in the market is helping convert relationship-building into tangible opportunities.

What's next: - The Bermuda Tourism Authority will follow up on owner and captain conversations tied to future itineraries. - Engagement with brokerage houses and charter specialists will continue ahead of the 2027 and 2028 seasons. - The authority will keep working with industry partners to strengthen Bermuda’s marina, charter and shoreside offering. - Bermuda will look for additional opportunities to expand its role in the international superyacht calendar. - The priority, Hutton said, is to convert momentum carefully and sustainably.