years, according to official Government statistics.

In 1999, 354,026 people came to the Island by aircraft -- over 14,000 less than 1998, according to the Bermuda Digest of Statistics 1999.

In addition, the latest arrival numbers for air and cruise passengers are the lowest since 1992.

The total number of travellers coming to the Island by aircraft and cruise liner in 1999 was 547,914, over 40,000 more than the 506,237 in 1992.

And air arrivals from Bermuda's biggest market, the US, last year were also recorded as the lowest in the last 20 years.

In 1999, 280,315 visitors came from the US -- 10,000 less than the previous 20-year low of 290,574 in 1998.

Overall, last year saw a fall in air arrivals from the US, Canada and United Kingdom, while Europe rose by 11 percent. In addition, the US, Canada and UK all saw a decrease in December numbers, while Europe rose by 47 percent to 429 in that month.

Of the US regions, according to Bermuda In Perspective, only the northeast saw an increase in air arrivals last year. It rose by 2.12 percent, from 64,692 to 66,061.

The mid-Atlantic region -- Bermuda's biggest US regional market -- saw a decrease of 3.5 percent, from 138,122 to 133,290.

The southeast and midwest regions saw drops of 6.36 and 10.06 percent, respectively.

And the number of bednights sold last year dropped in every category, bar the Island's guest houses, who saw a near 30 percent increase.

Overall, large hotels, small hotels, cottage colonies, private clubs, housekeeping cottages and accommodations with 12 beds or less all saw a decrease in bednights, to a total fall of 7.72 percent compared to 1998.