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

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

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