While Bermuda isn’t quite back at its sizzling tourism numbers from before the pandemic, the island is starting to show signs of a full-fledged recovery. 

Despite challenges amid the pandemic (including what were the strictest travel health rules in the wider region), Bermuda saw what officials are calling “significant” year-over-year growth last year. 

That included a 68 percent recovery of 2019 numbers — a 54 percent recovery for air visitors and a 75 percent recovery for cruise passengers. 

Hotel inventory recovered to about 73 percent of 2019 levels, according to a new report from the Bermuda Tourism Authority. 

“The BTA is committed to measuring industry performance and ensuring transparency with our stakeholders and the public. While there is more work to do to reach our pre-pandemic visitation levels, the data shows strong forward momentum,” said Erin Smith, the chief operations officer at the BTA. 

Last year was a “pivotal year” for the travel and tourism industry, and Bermuda is “eager for growth to surpass 2019 performance,” said Tracy Berkeley, the interim CEO of the BTA. 

So what does this year look like?

For now, bookings are “looking strong,” Smith said, though hotel and air capacity continue to be limiting factors. 

“We expect additional growth in 2023,” she said.