Hawaii’s visitor industry saw a 3.8 percent increase in the number of visitors in 2011 to 7.28 million and a 15.6 percent increase in spending to $12.58 billion that put last year just shy of 2007′s record $12.63 billion.

The Wall Street Journal reports that officials say the outlook for the tourism industry in Hawaii, which enjoyed prime-time television exposure from Sunday’s Pro Bowl, is optimistic this year.

The newspaper reports that part of the reason for last year’s gain can be attributed to more Americans avoiding travel in Mexico because of crime, a smaller-than-expected drop in the number of Japanese visitors and an increase in travelers from Australia, Canada and other countries enjoying a favorable exchange rate.