since 1986.

It means 659 -- or 7.3 percent -- fewer holidaymakers came to the Island than last January, a disappointing start for the struggling tourism industry.

Latest figures show 1,767 holidaymakers flew here between January 24 and last Sunday.

This is a 10.3 percent drop on the same period last year, and ends a four-week upswing.

Weekly air arrival figures offer only a rough guide to the tourism industry's performance.

Between April 1, 1992, and last Sunday the arrivals stood at 335,179 -- 1,548, or 0.5 percent, down on the same period in the previous year.

Previous January totals are 9,015 (1992); 10,164 (1991); 11,254 (1990); 9,184 (1989); 11,297 (1990); 9,994 (1987); 8,237 (1986); and 9,021 (1985).