visitor arrival statistics for May.

The figures show that both air and cruise ship arrivals for the month were down on the same month last year. The average length stay remained almost unchanged.

Air arrival figures were down by nearly six percent, with US and Canadian visitors making up the biggest shortfall. The one positive aspect is the fact that UK visitor arrivals were up for the fifth successive month.

Cruise arrivals fell by five percent compared to May 1997, although the Island's five regularly scheduled cruise ships operated at near full capacity.

A total of 39,000 visitors arrived by liner during May, compared to 41,100 last year.

So far more than 170,000 holidaymakers have visited the Island, nearly 70,000 of which arrived in May. The year-to-date figure is down by 3.9 percent on last year.

Visitor surveys have also revealed that, between November 1997 and March 1998, the number of visitors satisfied with the Island's transport system fell significantly.

And only 46 percent of guests said they would return to the Island within two years compared to 53 percent the year before.

Last night Tourism Minister David Dodwell could not be contacted to discuss the statistics.