Hawaii welcomed nearly 7.1 million visitors in 2010, an increase of 8.7% from 2009's totals and the most since the state's peak of 7.6 million visitors in 2007.
Total visitor spending was $11.4 billion, up more than 16% from 2009, according to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority on Jan. 26.
For December, spending was up 17.9% year over year, while total arrivals climbed 9.6%.
"The numbers for December represent the eighth consecutive month of double-digit increases in overall spending and are solid indicators that tourism continues to gain momentum," HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney said in a statement. "While this is encouraging news, this follows 22 months of declining arrivals and expenditures. And we have a way to go to achieve full recovery."
McCartney added that Hawaii visitors spent $35 million a day in 2007.
"In 2008 they spent $31 million, $27 million in 2009 and $31 million in 2010," he said.
Among the destination's top four markets, visitors from Canada surged 14.5% in 2010, and those from the U.S. West rose 8.8%. Arrivals from the U.S. East were up 4.4%, while travelers from Japan increased 5.3% year over year.
"Other highlights for December include the growth of arrivals by air to the neighbor islands, which outpaced air arrivals to Oahu," McCartney said. "HTA's continued emphasis on increasing airlift, especially direct airlift to the neighbor islands, is expected to contribute to spreading visitor spending and job creation across the state."
Hawaii also saw the number of visitors who traveled to the state for meetings, conventions and incentives soar 47.2% year over year in December. Throughout all of 2010, however, 8.5% fewer visitors came for conventions than in 2009, while those traveling to the state for corporate meetings and incentives jumped 15.1% and 24%, respectively.
"Clearly, we need to maintain the momentum tourism has contributed to Hawaii's economy," McCartney said. "Tourism accounts for $11.4 billion in spending, 150,000 jobs and $1.1 billion in tax revenue, which funds state initiatives and programs. When tourism does well, Hawaii also thrives -- with more jobs and opportunities for Hawaii's people."