The Island’s third quarter tourism for 2012 slumped by nearly three percent in comparison with the year before.Most of the decline was attributed to an eight percent drop in scheduled cruise ship calls for July to September, 2012, over the previous year’s bumper count.All in all, the Bermuda Department of Tourism reported a total of 260,129 visitors during the third quarter — more than 75 percent of them from the US.Air arrivals were up for the quarter: 80,852 tourists flew to the Island, with New Yorkers, at nearly 15 percent, giving the largest showing.Air figures showed a 1.17 percent improvement over the same time in 2011.This was in spite of September cancellations caused by the Island’s near miss with Hurricane Leslie.The latest figures showed a small discrepancy on air arrivals from those reported in October by former Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert.However, Mr Furbert last night said the variation of 241 was probably just a matter of one administration’s count versus another’s.The figures, released yesterday, were the first to come out under the administration of the new Minister Shawn Crockwell.Mr Crockwell, a strident critic of the previous Government’s management of the tourism industry while in Opposition, said he would release fourth quarter and full year arrival figures as soon as they were available.He added: “While remaining appreciative of the former Government’s use of statistics as an indicator, the new Government is aware that the true test is its success in facilitating the industry’s rejuvenation by fulfilling its Platform promises, which were designed so that tourism can achieve the revival the Country can be proud of.”The Q3 statistics show the average length of stay on the Island holding steady at 6.35 nights.For arrivals by sea, cruise ships brought 179,124 visitors; Bermuda reported 187,240 cruise guests for the same period in 2011.Yachts brought 153 in total for the quarter. Year to date yacht arrivals are up by 56 percent. Overall, most visitors — 73 percent — travelled to Bermuda on holiday. Fourteen percent came to see friends or relatives, and 11 percent for business.Convention business was down to one percent, from Q3 2011’s three percent.Overall, at 77 percent, the US stood the biggest provider of tourism to the Island, followed by Canada at nine percent — a strong area of market growth, the report noted.There was a 14 percent rise in Canada tourism for 2012’s third quarter, over the same time in 2011.Useful website: www.gotobermuda.com.