ago.

But Tourism Minister David Dodwell said yesterday he had hoped for a larger increase following the introduction of the department's new marketing programme -- Let Yourself Go -- earlier this year.

The news came after computer glitches which have held up compilation of the figures since March were resolved.

The rise translates to more than 15,000 extra visitors hitting Bermuda's shores or a total of 363,811 arrivals compared to the 348,114 people who had travelled to Bermuda between Janaury 1, 1995 and August 11, 1995.

Mr. Dodwell said air arrivals were up by 2.6 percent from 247,566 to 253,955 while cruise ship arrivals rose from 100,548 to 109,856 -- an increase of more than 9,000 passengers or 9.3 percent.

However he warned against over-excitement at the large increase of cruise ship arrivals, explaining an earlier start to the cruise season this year and an increased number of infrequent callers this year had caused the rise.

Mr. Dodwell said arrivals from the US were on par with last year while Canadian and UK business was up by six and one percent respectively.

But he said European business, where Tourism has invested heavily in new marketing initiatives, had dropped by 12 percent from this time last year.

When Mr. Dodwell unveiled the $30 million Let Yourself Go campaign earlier this year, he said he was hoping for 25,000 more visitors this year.