The amount of trips taken abroad by residents during the third quarter of this year surpassed all other quarters since the tracking of this statistic began in 1987.

A total of 47,917 overseas trips were taken by Bermuda residents during July ? September, which translates into an increase of 3.9 percent, or 1,793 more trips compared to 2004 figures ? this includes multiple trips taken by some during this three-month period.

According to the quarterly bulletin of statistics issued by Government, three out of four residents travelled overseas during the 2005 summer season.

While the United States remained the most popular destination, accounting for more than two-thirds of all trips taken by residents and representing a 2.3 percent increase, resident trips to the UK also increased by 8.0 percent, while trips to Canada dropped by 13.4 percent.

Additionally, trips to all other countries by residents increased a substantial 1,557 trips when compared with the third quarter of 2004. The vast majority of these trips were taken for vacation purposes, or to visit friends and family and accounted for 41,143 trips compared to the 37,478 trips taken over the same period last year.

Trips for international business purposes also increased by 16.5 percent, while those taken for local business reasons declined by 15.3 percent when compared with the same quarter of 2004. Medial and educational trips abroad accounted for 2,700 trips and represented a 42 percent decline.

The increase in the number of resident trips abroad also translates into increased overseas spending. The level of spending on goods purchased abroad by travelling residents was declared at a total value of $16.1 million during the third quarter.

This represents a jump of 11.7 percent, or $1.7 million above the spending level reached during the same period last year.

Residents travelling abroad spent on average $336.29 per trip on goods purchased abroad ? a 7.5 percent increase over the average spending levels in the third quarter of 2004.

In comparison, domestic retail sales for the same quarter increased by 5.9 percent.

Amongst the broad merchandise groupings, returning residents reported spending $7.2 million on clothing and footwear ? a 11.9 percent increase from the $6.4 million recorded during the third quarter of 2004.

Purchases of clothing, footwear and accessories continued to represent the largest overseas spending category accounting for 45 percent of total overseas spending.Consumer outlays on purchases of jewellery and watches, and toys and sporting goods both increased by $39,000 above the spending level of 2004.

In contrast, overseas spending fell below the previous year?s level for purchases of electronic and photographic equipment (-2.8 percent), household items, furniture and appliances (- 17.6 percent), tapes and compact discs (-10.1) and computer hardware and software (-11 percent).

Tools, machinery and parts saw a significant drop of 41.1 percent. Meanwhile purchases of all other miscellaneous items increased 57.7 percent, up $1.5 million to $4 million in the quarter.