visitor arrivals grew 7 percent, Government statistics showed.

Despite the boost in cruise ship passengers, August saw a 5.5 percent drop in visitor arrivals overall.

The cumulative total for the year so far stands at 353,054, which is nearly four percent less than the 366,638 recorded in 1991.

Visitor arrivals from the United States fell once again -- by 13 percent -- while arrivals from Canada and Europe increased.

A 6.5 percent increase in Canadian visitors was recorded. And European visitor arrivals increased by 5.6 percent, with most coming from Germany and Italy.

The number of British visitors coming to Bermuda fell by 12.6. A Tourism spokesman said the US results were "less than encouraging''.