Visitor spending plunged more than 45 percent in the first three months of this year, according to figures released by the Department of Statistics.

The numbers in the Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics for the first quarter reveal the brutal economic impact of the huge drop in visitor arrivals in the January to March period.

The 45.5 percent fall was was "a direct result of fewer air arrivals and scaled-back spending by visitors", the bulletin, which was released on Friday, stated.

Government estimated total visitor expenditure for the quarter at $29.7 million, a decline of $24.8 million over the previous year.

Average spending per tourist plunged 28 percent to $922 in the first quarter, compared to $1,280 in the same period last year.

The figures show how the dramatic reduction in visitor dollars has damaged the livelihoods of retailers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and taxi drivers alike.

Expenditure on accommodation and food fell 46.6 percent to $22.5 million, compared to $42.1 million for the first quarter of 2008.

Visitors spent $7.2 million on shopping, entertainment and transportation, representing a fall of $5.2 million, or 41.9 percent.

As revealed previously by the Ministry of Tourism, air arrivals fell 22.8 percent to 32,235 for the first three months of 2009, while the number of visitors staying at resort hotels dropped 29.1 percent, compared to the same period last year.

Tourism worldwide has been impacted to varying degrees by the global economic downturn as tourists and business people have cut out on trips to save money.