Visitor arrivals from New York increased during the autumn following a series of marketing promotions.

Bucking a trend which has seen United States arrivals slump throughout this year, 10,974 people flew to the Island from New York in September, October and November – up nearly 13 percent from 9,724 the previous year.

It comes after Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown hosted a tourism summit with industry leaders, and stepped up spending on the Island's number one market.

Bermuda was featured on US travel shows and in leading newspapers, while the Island was also promoted at a baseball game at Shea Stadium.

A breakdown of the figures shows 3,659 visited from New York in September, up 11 percent from 3,298 in September 2007; 3,979 visited in October, up 10 percent from 3,611; and 3,336 in November, up 18 percent from 2,815.

No further information was available despite requests regarding the amount of money spent on the marketing campaign.

Dr. Brown said in a statement: "In a US general election year, and with an economic downturn that has hit New York especially hard, it is truly outstanding to see the New York visitor numbers go up.

"I think this is a testament to a good strategy solidified by focus and hard work. The challenge before us now is to take this success in New York during September through November and translate it to other months of the year. It may be difficult to accomplish this during a US recession, but we're determined to transform this short term success into a long-term strategy."

The Premier has previously said plans to cope with difficulties facing tourism include encouraging key airlines to increase their loads and helping large hotels by committing funds to corporate and incentive group business promotions.

During the summer, the Department of Tourism launched a new television advertising campaign, cross-marketed with adverts on ferries, rail trails and heliports.

Efforts to attract tourists included:

• NBC's Today Show: Bermuda was one of three destinations featured in a segment on autumn travel aired;

• NY1 News: travel segment 'Beat Fall Blues With A Trip To The Pinks Sands Of Bermuda';

• Bermuda Night at Shea Stadium: Bermuda Idol Larrita Adderley sang the US National Anthem and Warwick Gombeys performed while fans were given Bermuda Tourism merchandise;

• CW 11 Morning News: promotion of 'Bermuda Night' at Shea Stadium, tickets to the game given away;

• New York Daily News: 'Isle do for Two' feature;

• New York Post: The Reefs included in an article about fractional ownership;

• New York Sunday Times: Bermuda Music Festival mentioned.

Figures for the year so far, up to and including November, show New York visitors are down nearly six percent.

Overall visitor arrivals were up three percent in September, down three percent in October and remained virtually unchanged in November.

That followed a previously reported major slump between July and September, when arrivals fell 22 percent thanks to a sharp decline in cruise ship visits and a fall in vacationers.