By the Caribbean Journal staff

Bermuda tourism is having a banner 2018, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

The island just posted its 10th consecutive quarter of positive growth, with leisure and vacation arrivals up solidly, according to new data from the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Indeed, Bermuda reported 66,604 visitors in the second quarter of 2018, a 15.2 percent growth rate compared to the same period in 2017.

That represented an additional 8,808 visitors in the period.

The increase in visitors also meant a larger contribution to Bermuda’s economy, with a total spend of $96.2 million, up from $90.6 million in the second quarter of 2017.

For the first half overall, stayover vacation and leisure visitors rose by 16.9 percent.

“The first half of the year was nothing short of spectacular compared to where we’ve been in recent history. We remain mindful that with a traditionally high volume third quarter there is limited capacity for further growth.  We’ll need to work hard, along with our stakeholders, to finish the year as strongly as we started it,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Executive Kevin Dallas.  “There will be fewer airline seats from JFK in this year’s third quarter due to schedule fluctuations, so that presents a significant challenge.”

— CJ