After nearly six long years, the moment that the tourism industry has been waiting for is finally upon us. Now, it’s all hands on deck to ensure the Fairmont Southampton reopens in style, breathing fresh life into the economy as it reclaims its place as the crown jewel of Bermuda’s hospitality sector.
As the clock ticks towards the iconic hotel’s grand return this spring, measures are being put in place to make it a success, from improving airlift and local transportation to getting good staff in place.
For the Bermuda Hoteliers Association, these are exciting times.
“It’s great news that the Fairmont Southampton will be reopening,” said chief executive Stephen Todd. “It’s been no secret that we’ve been concerned about our overall room count since its closure. Once it comes back online, it will provide us with much-needed additional inventory.
“We’ll be able to indicate to our international travellers that Bermuda is back on the radar, and we can focus on getting back that business that we provided to our business and leisure visitors. It’s critical and very important to us.”
Kiaran MacDonald, the Fairmont’s regional vice-president, Caribbean, and general manager, pointed to an “incredibly strong” level of energy and anticipation across the team.
“Many of our colleagues have a deep personal history with Fairmont Southampton, so there’s a genuine sense of pride and responsibility in being part of a return,” he said.
“This excitement is paired with a very focused mindset – ensuring every detail, touchpoint and guest experience reflects the elevated standards long upheld by Fairmont Southampton.”
He said the reopening would reintroduce Bermuda’s largest driver of group, conference and incentive travel, who visit year-round and boost on-island spending and demand for airlift.
It will also spark increased activity for local suppliers, transportation services, restaurants and attractions.
“The economic benefit extends far beyond the resort itself and contributes meaningfully to the broader Bermudian economy,” he said.
The Fairmont Southampton, of course, is far from the only show in town.
There’s optimism surrounding plans for expansion work at Grotto Bay and a new development at the Elbow Beach property by The Loren at Pink Beach. Even without the Fairmont, Bermuda tourism has enjoyed a resurgence since the dark days of Covid-19: more than 110,000 visitors flew to Bermuda on vacation in the first nine months of 2025, a slight drop on the 112,000 in the corresponding period of 2024, but an improvement on the five-digit figures of the previous few years.
Yet, the Fairmont is regarded as the difference-maker. When it closed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the island not only lost its 600 rooms and ability to host major business conferences – it also lost the sparkle of glamour and pulling power of its grand-daddy hotel.
A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Tourism Authority said: “The reopening will be one of the most significant catalysts for Bermuda’s tourism growth in more than a decade, increasing the total room count by about 25 per cent.”
Other advantages, she said, include the ability to host events and sports groups; and the potential for more year-round group travel.
The redevelopment includes upgrades to guest rooms, public spaces and amenities, with a stronger emphasis on “modern comfort, wellness and the natural beauty of the South Shore”; dining and social venues have been modernised; the beachside location and outdoor areas have been improved.
Mr MacDonald said: “Locals will experience a resort that feels familiar yet elevated in all the right ways.”
Airlift
Skyport president Aaron Adderley highlighted industry concerns over airlift at the Bermuda Partnership Summit in October 2025, noting global challenges such as pilot shortages, delayed aircraft deliveries and supply chain disruptions.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, acknowledged Bermuda has struggled with “insufficient hotel inventory to support consistent year-round service”.
But she added: “Increased hotel inventory, particularly with the 2026 reopening of the Fairmont Southampton, will expand capacity and make additional flights more viable.”
Other efforts include strengthening relationships with major carriers to better understand their operational constraints and secure more stable service, including continuous Miami flights in early 2026, and growing flexibility from BermudaAir.
Transportation
The island’s transport system was identified as a major weakness during the Partnership Summit; BTA director of data strategy and insights Lamar Caines pointed to a “huge” issue of reliability and availability that could undermine visitor satisfaction.
Mr Todd told us guests had been frustrated by bus cancellations, but he was satisfied that the Government was addressing that matter.
“We need to ensure we have a collaborative approach with ground transport – ferries, buses, taxis – all working with the common goal to ensure we have a reliable and responsive system,” he said.
The Ministry spokeswoman said the Government is advancing “several modernisation initiatives” to meet visitor expectations, including the new ride-share concept set to be launched at the start of the new tourism season.
Taxi drivers have complained this initiative would undercut their industry, but the spokeswoman said: “This service is intended to complement, not replace, the existing taxi industry, which will remain the primary transportation option.”
She said the programme would be “closely monitored and adjusted” as needed.
Staffing
Mr MacDonald said the Fairmont is engaging with Bermudians at home and abroad to fill positions, while also sourcing talent through its global network.
They are being trained in systems, service culture, safety and brand standards so that the Fairmont can build “a diverse, strong and well-balanced team from the moment we welcome our first guests”.
He added that the Fairmont is balancing its own needs of maintaining quality with those of the wider hospitality community and other Bermudian businesses.
This point resonated with Mr Todd, who said it is anticipated that some of the former Fairmont staff currently working at other hotels would probably return to their first love.
“We want to ensure that we don’t satisfy a need in one area and create a void in another,” he said.
Mr Todd said his organisation would continue working with the Government and industry partners to ensure quality staff are in place across the board.
“You can’t charge a premium room rate if you are not providing the level of service that guests require,” he said.
Qualified candidates can register their interest at FairmontSouthamptonBermuda.com
