HILO >> A slight increase in cruise ship visitors to Hilo is expected next year.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that advance bookings for 2015 show an increase of one ship, with a potential of more than 3,000 visitors.

A maximum of nearly 239,000 cruise ship visitors are expected in Hilo altogether, based on bookings.

Cruise ship visitor numbers have steadily increased since a drop in 2008 saw the numbers cut in half.

Hilo once was a destination for a half million cruise ship visitors.