year, Government figures showed yesterday.

More than 18,800 tourists came to the Island last month for rest and relaxation, first or second honeymoons, or visits to family and friends. And last month's total air arrivals increased by almost ten per cent over last year.

According to March figures, there were a total of 26,154 air visitors with US passengers accounting for three quarters of the total. The Mid Atlantic and North East regions were especially strong with 30 and 21 per cent increases, respectively.

And UK numbers recovered from February's slump with a seven per cent increase over last year.

Canadians, however, continued to spurn the Island with numbers falling 15 percent.