The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism said occupancy rates were flat nationally, but the state's hospitality industry reported solid growth with per room revenue rates up 13.6 % for the period, almost double the national total. For the first six months of the year, the Massachusetts lodging industry recorded a 14.2% increase in revenue, well above the national average of 8.8% for the period, the state agency said.

The study also found that travelers generated more than $133.5 million in state room occupancy tax collections during fiscal 2005, an increase of more than 11% over the same period in 2004. A tourism office official said traffic problems caused by the July tunnel collapse that killed a Jamaica Plain woman did not have any apparent effect on the state or region's tourism business.

A separate study conducted by the International Council of Cruise Lines also found that spending by cruise lines in Massachusetts jumped 35% last year. That puts the state in ninth place among all 50 states for overall cruise industry business.