A Department of Tourism survey revealed that while Bermuda met visitors' expectations, it failed to exceed them.

And while statistics show that visitors spent more money on the Island this summer then last, they were less pleased by the value they receive.

According to figures released Tuesday, around 93,047 visitors spent between $118 million and $138.1 million between July and September.

However, only eight percent of the 498 air travellers surveyed felt that the value for cost exceeded their expectations this summer a steep decline from 41 percent in 2009.

The number of travellers who said the Island met the perceived value for cost rose from 55 percent in 2009 to 76 percent in 2010.

The number of people disappointed also increased 15 percent felt that they received less value per dollar, compared to only two percent in 2009.

Shadow Tourism Minister Michael Dunkley said yesterday that he was concerned by the statistics, saying that in tough economic times, the issue of value for money was an important one.

"It's alarming," he said. "It's a trend that we need to find the root cause of and solve. People look very carefully at cost, and as a high-end destination, we need to be very cautious."

However he also noted the relatively small number of people surveyed, and said that in the future he hoped more people would be polled.

A total of 498 visitors were polled between June 1 and August 31, compared with 731 visitors over the same period last year.

According to the survey, air travellers spent less time on average on the Island than during the same period last year. It also revealed that once here, they spent more money.

Vacationers spent $1,300 on the Island on average around $220 per night compared with $157 a night in 2009.

Persons here on business spent more per night than last summer $275 per night compared to $245 in 2009 but shorter trips left them spending less in total.

Visitors this year spent the majority of their money on food and accommodations.

On average, visitors spent $885 on their accommodations $239 more than last year. They spent $341 on meals and beverages, an increase of $61 from last year.

Most visitors said they were completely satisfied with their experience here but the Island did not exceed expectations in any way.

In 2009, 78 percent of people felt that Bermudian hospitality had exceeded expectations this year that figure plummeted to 29 percent.

In 2009 everyone surveyed said something had exceeded expectations, this summer 22 percent said nothing had.

Despite the falling value compared to cost, visitors said they were more likely to return this year 77 percent compared with 70 percent in 2009.

St. George's remained the second most popular destination for air travellers behind Dockyard.

Approximately 46 percent of air travellers said they visited the historic town down from 47 percent in 2009. Fifty-seven percent said they visited Dockyard down from 59 percent in 2010.

Of those surveyed, 73 percent said they visited the Island for vacation, 13 percent for business and 14 percent because of friends or family.

The average income of visitors rose this year, with 54 percent of those surveyed having a household income greater than $150,000, up from 36 percent in 2009.