The number of American air passengers arriving on Bermuda declined for the third month in a row while European visitors continue to flood in.

US visitors to the Island fell by 1.44 percent in June, but arrivals from the United Kingdom and Europe rose by 25 percent and 60 percent, respectively.

But the latest tourism statistics released yesterday showed high numbers of cruise ship passengers were on course to make 1999 the busiest year on record -- up 4.5 percent for the year-to-date.

And those guests on the new cruise and stay holidays -- cruising to the Island and flying home after a three-day hotel break, or vice-versa -- numbered 180 in June and 531 in the year so far.

Total arrivals were 74,179 for June and 249,086 for the year to date.

In June, 36,986 people flew in from the US, compared to 37,327 in 1998. From Britain, 3,000 passengers arrived -- up 600 from the previous year.

Canadian guests arrived in fewer numbers, with 2,302 people -- down just less than one percent and contributing to a 1999 decrease of 9.47 percent on 1998.

Whilst visitors from the core US market declined, the number of nights spent here increased by nearly one percent -- up 2,555 to 270,311 bed nights. The average length of stay for visitors dropped to 5.23 nights from 5.27.

Those nights were spent less at large and small hotels, and cottage colonies, but more at housekeeping cottages and guest houses.

Cottage colonies saw the largest decrease in business during June, losing 537 customers and subsequently 3,888 bed nights.

Large hotels saw a 0.59 percent decline to 25,035 people and small hotels also experienced a drop -- 1.84 percent to 4,962 guests.

Overall, air visitors increased from 43,500 to 43,800 for the month -- reducing the year-to-date deficit to 172,500, from 174,300 in 1998.

Visitors from the lucrative US north east market fell by 0.83 percent, but failed to dampen a yearly total so far of 34,560 -- up 1,996.

A continuing decline in vacationers from the mid-Atlantic and south east areas -- which include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida -- was not halted by a ten percent June rise from the south east region.

According to Government Information Services, a cancelled visit by the Nordic Empress due to the threat of Hurricane Arlene, hit cruise ship numbers.

In June, there were 30,209 passengers -- down 9.53 percent on 1998 -- whilst the year so far total was up 4.57 percent to 76,048.

TOURISTS STATISTICS June numbers Overall air and sea arrivals down.

Overall air arrivals up.

Sea arrivals down.

US visitor numbers down.

UK/Europe visitors up.

Canadian visitors down.

Average length of stay down.

Number of bed nights up.