Hawaii’s visitor industry is on track to reach its fourth consecutive year of spending and arrivals records in 2015 with carryover momentum expected to make 2016 a fifth year of tourism bests.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s director of tourism research, Daniel Nahoopii, forecast another year of industry growth Thursday at the agency’s monthly board meeting. Nearly 8.7 million visitors are expected to travel to Hawaii in 2015, with non-seasonally adjusted visitor spending anticipated to grow to nearly $15.4 billion.

Come next year, nearly 8.8 million travelers are expected to visit Hawaii. That would be up 1.6 percent from 2015. Likewise, total 2016 spending is supposed to surpass inflation, rising 3.5 percent from 2015’s $15.4 billion to $15.9 billion.

“We think the end of 2015 will be strong and we’ll stay that way going into 2016,” Nahoopii said.

A swell in U.S. air seats helped U.S. travelers dominate the Hawaii market in 2015, Nahoopii said. Air seat momentum from the U.S. is not expected to be sustained in 2016, he said. However, he expects growth from international air seats will continue past the second half of 2015. These results likely mean more increases are in store for Hawaii tourism, which has seen simultaneous gains in visitor spending and arrivals since 2012.

“We’ll see moderate growth going forward,” said Randy Baldemor, HTA’s chief operating officer. “The U.S. economy generally has been good, and obviously oil prices have helped out a lot. Strong support from the U.S. has balanced out any challenges in areas like Asia.”

HTA Board President Rick Fried said Hawaii is seen as a safe place and will likely benefit from increasing unpredictability in the rest of the world.

“Hawaii is perceived, even in this country, as a particularly safe place to come. I think a lot of destinations will see downturns, but I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to grow —albeit at a slower rate,” Fried said. “We’re a mature market, and we can’t continue to grow at the rates that we were growing at when we were newer.”

Nahoopii expects visitor arrivals and spending in all major visitor markets will rise in 2016 except for Taiwan. Nahoopii said Taiwan’s GDP growth and consumer confidence index are dampening, and its weakened currency is a setback for travelers to the U.S.

Nahoopii projects that in 2016 Hawaii’s core U.S. West market will see spending increase by 3.2 percent to nearly $5.5 billion, and arrivals will grow 1.2 percent to nearly 3.6 million. Likewise, 2016 visitor spending from the U.S. East is expected to rise 3.3 percent to just more than $3.8 billion, while arrivals are expected to grow 1.3 percent to 1.8 million. Nahoopii said he anticipates that low oil prices and a favorable U.S. employment rate and housing outlook will fuel 2016 domestic results.

Nahoopii anticipates that arrivals from Canada will grow 1.1 percent to 532,168 in 2016. He expects spending will rise 2 percent to more than $1.1 billion.

“Interest in Hawaii is expected to remain strong, although value continues to be a deciding factor,” he said.

Visitors from Japan, which just dipped back into a recession, are expected to rise 1.1 percent to 1.5 million. Spending from these visitors is anticipated to climb 2.1 percent to $2.2 billion.

“Japan’s focus has shifted to inbound and domestic travel building up to the 2020 (Tokyo) Olympics,” Nahoopii said.

The start of low-cost carrier Jin Air next month is expected to contribute to higher growth rates for Korea. Nahoopii has forecast visitor spending from this market will rise 8 percent to $388 million, and arrivals will increase 6 percent to 187,461.

While China’s economic growth has slowed to its lowest point in the past two decades, the 10-year multientry U.S. visa has made Hawaii easier to access. Nahoopii forecasts 2016 arrivals from China will rise to 185,000, a 7 percent increase over 2015. Spending also is expected to grow by 9.1 percent to $489 million.

While Oceania’s currency is weak against the U.S. dollar, carrier competition has created attractive pricing and more seat inventory. Arrivals from Oceania are expected to grow 1.5 percent next year to 413,175. Visitor spending is projected to reach just past $1 billion, a 3.5 percent gain from 2015’s projected finish.

Nahoopii expects more seat inventory in Europe will yield positive 2016 results. He forecasts 2016 spending from Europe to reach nearly $398 million, a 4 percent gain from 2015’s expected end. Arrivals are anticipated to grow by 2 percent to 148,107.

Outbound travel from Latin America will continue to grow in 2016, with the U.S. remaining a favorite destination. That’s why Nahoopii anticipates 2016 arrivals from this market will grow 2 percent to 30,666 and spending by 3 percent to $102 million.