An increase in tourists from all of Hawaii’s major markets boosted both visitor arrivals and spending in September from the same month a year earlier, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported today.

The number of visitors rose by 4 percent to 560,707, while the amount they spent rose by $165 million to $1 billion, according to the HTA.

Through the first nine months of the year arrivals totaled 5.45 million, a 2.7 percent increase from 5.31 million during the same period a year ago. Spending rose to $9.26 billion, up $1.19 billion from the first nine months of 2010.

“We anticipate this momentum to continue through the fourth quarter of 2011 and into 2012, with increases in airlift out of Japan, Canada, Korea and Australia through new and established airlines,” said Mike McCartney, HTA president and chief executive officer.

“We are very encouraged with the increases in visitor spending, arrivals and air seats as we head towards the end of the year,” he said.

McCartney said the state is on track to meet the HTA’s projections, of 7.5 million visitor arrivals and spending of $12.6 billion for 2011.