Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, the Official Hotel for the MS Amlin World Triathlon later this month, is now sold out for the weekend of festivities, April 26 to April 29, and April’s occupancy numbers are trending higher than last year.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) confirmed today that at the beginning of April, island-wide hotel bookings were pacing 10.6 percent ahead of last April and most of the occupancy increase is attributed to group nights.

A prestigious global sporting event, the World Triathlon Series has attracted nearly 100 professional athletes from 30 countries, to compete in a field of the world’s best, next weekend. These are the highest performing elite triathletes in the sport including the world’s best female, and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Bermudian Flora Duffy and the world’s top-ranked male Mario Mola, representing Spain.

Athlete registration has now closed and more than 600 athletes will step up to the start line on Race Day, first in the amateur Age Group race in the morning and later in the Elite race on Saturday afternoon.

Bermuda’s success in attracting a strong field of competitors in the first of three World Triathlon Series events to be hosted here, has led to a ‘full house’ at the Official Hotel.

The resort’s General Manager Tim Morrison said: “The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is extremely happy with the results of the partnership with World Triathlon Series in its capacity as Official Main Sponsor and Official Event Hotel.”

The Age Group amateur race starts at 7am when hundreds  will plunge into Hamilton Harbour from the spectacular event venue at Car Park #1, transformed  into a sport arena. The Elite Men’s race begins at 1pm and at 4pm Flora Duffy will race in the Elite Women’s race, also starting from the blue-carpeted arena on Front Street.

The triathlete visitors also travel with their partners, support crew and friends; Hamilton will be buzzing with excitement.

Pat Philip-Fairn, BTA Chief Products and Experiences Development Officer said: “All of Bermuda can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and support Flora Duffy from the sidelines anywhere on the course, for free. A free public viewing deck on Front Street will be available from 7am to 6pm and various locations will be identified as prime viewing Fan Zones.”

Course maps and details of the weekend’s festivities are available online at tribermuda.com.