Hawaii was the fifth most visited state by overseas travelers, whose trips to the island rose 2 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce estimate.

The “;2009 Overseas Visitation to U.S. States, Cities and Traveler Characteristics Data”; released yesterday compares Hawaii with other U.S. destinations international travelers visited.

The market share of foreign travelers to Hawaii rose to 7.8 percent from 7.2 percent, according to the report. Eased travel restrictions and improved currency exchange boosted international travel to Hawaii, said state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert.

Korean visitors increased by 44 percent as a result of visa waivers, Wienert said. A memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Chinese governments also created more demand for leisure travel to Hawaii, she said.

“;And, we got lots of visitors from Canada and Australia, who with their improved currency almost could not afford not to come,”; Wienert said.

In comparison, overseas arrivals to the United States as a whole posted a 6 percent decline from 2008. New York was the state most visited for the seventh consecutive year; however, its visitation fell by 5 percent. California dropped to third position with a 13 percent decline.

Other states posting gains include Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Ohio. Ten out of the 20 states and territories posted double-digit declines.

While international visits in Honolulu stayed the same, market share rose to 6.3 from 5.9 percent during the same period. Honolulu was the eighth most favored city behind New York City; Miami; Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; San Francisco; Las Vegas; and Washington.