compared to 1992 in an encouraging sign for the economy.

The latest Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics showed total spending increased from $149.5 million to $171.5 million as more visitors came to the Island from April to June.

Cruise ship visitor spending also increased from $12.1 million to $15.2 million, again reflecting the increase in cruise ship visitors to the Island.

Per capita spending by air arrivals increased to $1,127 per person from $1,107 in 1992 in nominal figures, a 1.8 percent increase. That means that in real terms, spending was down compared to 1992 when the 2.7 percent inflation rate foir the qaurter is taken into account.

That reduction in real spending is probably due to discounts in hotel room rates and a steady erosion in visitors' length of stay, according to observers. Spending on entertainment and food has remained steady.

Cruise ship spending -- which contributed just 8.8 percent of all visitor spending in the second quarter -- increased on a per capita basis from $249 per person to $255 per person, up 2.4 percent in nominal terms, but 0.3 percent below the inflation rate.

However, this figure may change in the third quarter if the Chamber of Commerce's "Harbour nights'' in St. George's on Tuesdays and Hamilton on Wednesdays have succeeded in inducing cruise passengers to spend more onshore.

On a more positive note, the increase in arrivals and total spending will have improved cash flow for tourist-related businesses and will also have improved Government revenues -- at least on the passenger and departure tax side.

SPENDING UP -- Total bisitor spending increased between April And June compared to 1992. The top parts of the bars show cruise passengers spending, the lower, larger section regular visitors. Source: Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics .