Spending by visitors to Bermuda has increased $6.4 million in the first half of this year, according to government statistics.

The increase is a 3 percent rise on the first six months of last year, where expenditure reached $212.6 million.

So far this year the estimated spending of both holidaymakers and business visitors is $219 million.

The figure for expenditure is even greater than that in 1996, when it was $218.3 million, and has increased 0.4 percent in four years. Regular air visitors spent $132.4 million on accommodation and food and $67.7 million on shopping, entertainment and transport. Air visitors spent a total of $200.1 million, an increase of 2 percent on the same time last year. Cruise visitors spent $18.9 million in the first half of the year, an increase of $2.5 million, or a rise in 13.3 percent.

The number of visitors overall to the Island increased marginally -- by 1 percent -- over the same period last year.

The number of visitors by cruise ship went up by 4.4 percent to 76,048 from 72,727 at the same time last year.

But the number of passengers travelling by air was down 1.1 percent or 1,783 people to 172,507 from the same six month period last year.

Out of those visitors 136,403 were from the United States, 16,014 from Canada, 13,139 from Britain, and 6,951 from other destinations.

Occupancy levels were lower for resort hotels, which were down 1.7 percent and small hotels, cottage colonies and clubs were further hit and down 8.8 percent. Some 172,507 guests stayed in hotels and guest houses during their stay.

Holidaymakers staying at resort hotels was down on last year by 2,192, or 2.2 percent to 98,623, but at the other end of the market there were more guests staying at smaller properties.

The hotel employment level stood at 3,928 workers at the end of April 1999, and there were 27 new positions -- an increase of 0.7 percent year over year.

Resort hotels reported a higher level of employment with 87 more workers or an increase of 2.7 percent. However the number of workers in the cottage colonies and housekeeping units and guest houses declined by 55 and five fewer workers respectively.

BUSINESS BUC