That's according to a survey on tourism spending by Governments.

In 1990, for instance, Bermuda's tourism budget was $27.4 million.

That amounts roughly to $64 for each visitor. And for the following year, that sum rose to $75.

Puerto Rico comes closest to matching us, with $63 and $68 for the two years.

And Jamaica, with a 1991 tourism budget of $42,830,000, is not that far behind. With 844,607 visitors that year, $51 was spent on each one.

Results of the survey, entitled "Regional Tourism Board Expenditures'', appeared in the Caribbean business magazine "Tourism Today''.

The magazine stressed the figures were of spending by Caribbean Governments to "finance national tourism organisations''.

And it added: "Expenditure on infrastructure and other services are not included. Additionally, promotional expenditure by the private sector is not represented.'' However, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge was dismissive over the survey.

It was meaningless to make such comparisons between countries, he said.

"You are not comparing apples with apples.'' Mr. Woolridge pointed out national airlines, such as in Jamaica, spent a lot on advertising.

This had to be added to the expenditure figures to make them less meaningless.

Mr. Woolridge also stressed Bermuda was trying to target a different tourism market. Government wanted up-market visitors who were prepared to dip into their pockets, he said.

"We are not looking for people who just come for a quick gamble and then leave,'' said Mr. Woolridge.