KETCHIKAN -- A report commissioned by the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau said cruise and airline passenger traffic increased during the 2011 season.

The report said Ketchikan had about 922,200 visitors from May through September. The McDowell Group research firm said that's up about 2 percent from the 865,700 visitors in 2010.

McDowell's survey project manager, Bob Koenitzer, said Ketchikan's visitors are following the trend of state tourism and that Alaska continues to remain attractive to travelers compared to some other U.S. destinations.

The McDowell Group surveyed 272 cruise passengers, 275 air visitors and 112 visitors on state ferries.