Visitors spent 23 percent less on the Island last year than they did in 2008.

The Quarterly Bulletin recently released illustrated the financial fall out of the reduced air visitors who came to the Island in 2009.

Last year 235,860 visitors flew to Bermuda a 10.53 percent drop compared to 2008 and of those, 18 percent of visitors came for business and 16 percent to visit family and friends. Four percent of visitors came for a convention, down 24 percent compared to 2008.

The report, compiled by the Department of Statistics added: "Overall, spending by visitors in 2009 totalled $266 million, a drop of 23 percent year-over-year. The overall decline in spending reflects both the weak air arrivals in 2009 and the lower average daily expenditure by these visitors."

And with cruise arrivals up 11 percent to 318,528 people, spending also rose 12 percent to $65 million.

The large drop in air arrivals spending resulted in less money for those in the hospitality sector.

"Total hotel gross receipts stood at $211 million at the end of 2009, down $63 million from the previous year," the report stated," the report stated.

"The fall in occupancy levels was partly responsible for the industry employing 153 less employees at the end of October 2009 when compared to the year prior.

"Hotels employed 1,852 workers which was 218 less than the same period in 2008. In contrast, employment at

cottage colonies increased by 65, to 654 workers. Total employees at guesthouses remained unchanged at 20

workers."

In particular visitors arriving by air spent 23 percent less on shopping, entertainment and transport than they did in 2008 while hotels and restaurants also saw visitor spending drop by 22 percent.