the economy.

Figures for April 4-11 show an 18.5 percent jump in the number of holidaymakers flying in.

And, more importantly, arrivals from January 1 to April 11 shot up 6.4 percent.

Yesterday Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge voiced delight at the upturn. "It shows our advertising is working, and there is a definite trend towards Bermuda,'' he said.

"We have had positive indications from our tour operators and wholesalers.'' Mr. Woolridge, in an apparent reference to the Elbow Beach crisis, said: "I trust the social and industrial climate will not be something to deter people from coming here.

"It looks good right now, and I think it's going to continue along this trend. With the late booking pattern I am very encouraged, and trust everyone will work together to ensure this year is better than last.'' Some 22.5 percent more visitors arrived at the Airport during the week ending April 4.

And latest statistics show the trend continuing in the next week, with 1,313 extra visitors arriving.

This brought the number for April 4-11 to 8,423.

The four-week moving total came to 29,896 -- 2,762 more visitors, or a 10.2 percent increase, than 1992.

For January 1-April 11 there were 62,440 visitor arrivals, 3,770 more than last year. Over a longer period, however, the statistics are slightly less impressive.

Between April, 1992, and March 31, 1993, there were 375,744 arrivals -- just 340, or 0.1 percent, up on the previous year's period.

The cautious optimism over Bermuda's economy was recently boosted by a last-gasp surge in visitor spending in 1992.

The final three months saw expenditure rise from $88,400,000 to $92,400,000.

But over the year visitors spent more than $10 million less than in 1991.

Some $443 million was forked out, compared to $455,600,000 to the year before.

Most of last year's expenditure went on accommodation and food.