More tourists come to Hawaii, spend more in February

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HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Tourism Authority says the number of visitors to the islands rose 4.1 percent last month compared to February last year. Spending by travelers climbed 4.8 percent.

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Tourism Authority says the number of visitors to the islands rose 4.1 percent last month compared to February last year. Spending by travelers climbed 4.8 percent.

The figures were boosted by having an extra day in February, because this year is a leap year.

The agency said Tuesday average daily spending also rose, but by 1.2 percent.

Overall tourist traffic was close to flat on an average daily basis. More than 218,000 visitors were in the state last month on an average day. That’s 0.4 percent lower than the same month last year.

The agency says fewer cruise ship arrivals held down arrivals and spending. Only two ships visited the islands compared to six ships last February.