Tourists flying into Bermuda to visit family and friends was up 37 percent this summer.

Earlier in the week The Royal Gazette published statistics never before released by the Department of Tourism, despite previous requests for a breakdown in arrival figures. The statistics were for visitor air arrivals from April-August.

They revealed the number of visitors arriving by air solely for a vacation dropped over the last five months, sometimes by as much as 15 percent.

And the percentage of people visiting the Island on business jumped by double digits every month when compared to 2006 figures. The statistics also show that 23,401 visitors flew to Bermuda to see family or friends. Up 37 percent when compared to the same months in 2006

Premier Ewart Brown attributed the surge in people coming to visit friends and family to a combination of the Department of Tourism's marketing strategy and the lure of loved ones who live here. Dr. Brown, who is also the Minister of Tourism, said: "Through strategic marketing it's our job to create a buzz about Bermuda — get Bermuda on the minds of as many people as possible.

"When those people are making decisions on where to travel, whether to visit friends or for business or for pleasure, we hope they'll choose Bermuda based on the fact that our marketing strategy has convinced them this is the place to be.

"I've spoken to many people who have friends and family visiting for the Music Festival or the PGA Grand Slam of Golf; or business people who have structured their business travel around any number of our tourism events. "When we ask visitors which category best describes their reason for visiting Bermuda, I bet it's pretty difficult for them to check just one box."

He added that these visitors helped increase tourist spending during the second quarter. Compared to 2006 visitors spent an additional $3 million this April-June compared to last year.