The Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) is reporting a significant increase in arrivals to the island by air since the launch of the new low-cost service from Zoom Airlines in June.

Figures from the BDOT show air arrivals have increased since the introduction of the new service with visitors from the UK of 2,797 in September, as many as 3,499 in August and 3,650 in July.

The July and August figures showed a massive increase of 24.62 percent and 20.66 percent respectively compared with July and August 2006. The September figure represents a more modest increase of 3.82 percent year-on-year demonstrating the end of the peak holiday period for UK holidaymakers.

Press reports from the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority also demonstrate Zoom Airlines’ impact on the island’s tourism with increased passenger numbers of more than 15 percent in July since the introduction of the twice-weekly service in the first week of June.

“The introduction of Zoom’s twice-weekly service to our island has been nothing but good for tourism. We now have to ensure there is enough bed stock to cope with the increased demand and continue to maintain the high quality of product and service we offer as a destination,” said Bermuda’s Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. Ewart F. Brown.