Off-season tourist travel increased by more than 2 percent in February, a regional index reports, a boost that could bode well for the coming summer season.

According to the Mystic Country Travel Index, lodging increased by just over 3 percent, attendance at attractions by 5.4 percent and welcome centers by slightly more than 1 percent.

“It's not as good as being up in July or August, but we'll take the increase,” said Chris Jennings, president of the Mystic Coast & Country Travel Industry Association.

Based in Mystic, the association compiles the monthly report, adding in data from members, the Eastern Regional Tourism District and Smith Travel Research, which assesses the hotel and motel business. Mystic Country covers the eastern third of Connecticut and coastal Rhode Island. Attractions include the Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport and similar venues.

Jennings attributed the increase in part to marketing, along with the Eastern Regional Tourism District, during the winter months. He also cited a possible trend of “folks ... staying closer to home” for vacations and entertainment, since gasoline prices above $3 a gallon may be inhibiting wider travel.

A mild winter also appears to have boosted tourist travel, Jennings said. And local hotels and museums have offered innovative and affordable pricing packages that could be a lure.

“Hotels, attractions, museums are all working independently but collectively,” he said. “It's one of the good things about this region.”

Despite the good news revealed in the index, attendance at the region's two casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, was down 5.2 percent, and retail was down half a percent.

Slot revenue at the casinos “has been moving in the wrong direction for a number of months now,” Jennings said, referring to consistent drops in revenue at both casinos.

Both casinos have expansions under way that are expected to help inject new life and dollars into the tourist season when they open later this year, Jennings said. MGM Grand at Foxwoods will open this spring and Mohegan Sun's Project Horizon is due to open in the fall.

Retail's drop is most likely a reflection of the slowdown in the economy, Jennings added.

“Bigger places like malls are flat,” he said. “More unique places (are) up” in terms of revenue and traffic.