Hawaii listed as costliest for visitors

Hawaii is the most expensive state by far to vacation in, costing two adults an average of $793 a day for food and lodging alone, according to a AAA survey.

State tourism officials contended that a more accurate estimate was about half that amount.

The auto club’s recommended daily budget for visitors to the Aloha State is triple the national average of $244 and more than double that of New York, the second-most-expensive state at $320. Nevada ($301) is third, followed by Florida ($289) and Massachusetts ($287) in AAA’s 2008 annual vacation costs survey. The figures do not include airfare and other costs.

Accommodations in Hawaii, at an average of $675 a night, propelled the state to the overall No. 1 rank. The national average is $164 a night.