B.C. tourists flocking from Paris, Mexico

Tourists are flocking to B.C. with March visitor totalsup nearly 20 per cent compared to last year, says the province.

Many of the extra 50,299visitors are coming from France and Mexico, part ofa trend that's been growing since 2014.

• B.C. tourism numbers boosted by international visitors

The province credits a low dollar, marketing and new directflights between Paris and Mexico city, in part,for the tourism boom.

Goodconditions at ski resorts also helped.

"International tourists are putting B.C. at the top of their travel lists ... by all accounts, 2016 is off to a fantastic start," said Shirley Bond, minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

Visitors are coming from a number of key markets, according to Tourism B.C. statistics:

• France up 51.6%
• Mexico up 45.2%
• U.S. up 20.1%
• Japan up 13.3%
• South Korea up 10.1%
• China up 7.8%
• Germany up 6.2%
• Australia up 4.7%
• India up 2.5%
• United Kingdom up 1.1%