Hawaii’s visitor arrivals and spending posted further gains in November, putting the tourism industry on track for its best annual performance since 2007.

The number of visitors to the state rose by 2.6 percent in November from the same month a year earlier, boosting arrivals to 6.6 million through the first 11 months of 2011, according to a report today from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Spending rose by 8.2 percent for the month, bringing the year-to-date expenditures to $11.28 billion, the HTA said.

Assuming the number of arrivals in December is in line with the historical average, the 2011 total would be the highest since 2007 when 7.5 million visitors came to Hawaii. The spending figure is on track to be the highest since the $12.6 billion spent in 2007.

HTA said that while the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting was undoubtedly boosted tourism, officials did not attempt to quantify the precise impact in terms of arrivals or spending.

“While the direct economic impact from the event is currently being analyzed, the HTA is working with our industry partners and stakeholders to capitalize on the momentum following APEC,” said Mike McCartney, HTA president and chief executive officer.