VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – More Mexicans than ever are visiting Vancouver.

Tourism Vancouver’s latest data shows between January and May, 41,202 tourists from Mexico came to Vancouver, up more than 11,324 in the same time period last year.

The largest spike, and contributor to the increase, were the 11,405 Mexicans who visited Vancouver in March.

“We’re looking at the visas being lifted (in December) for Mexicans coming to Vancouver, so we think next year’s going to be a record year for Mexican visitation to the city, but we’re already seeing a 20 per cent increase in our overnight Mexicans,” Tourism Vancouver marketing vice president Stephen Pearce says.

Mexicans aren’t the only ones who want to visit Vancouver.

Tourism from both other provinces and around the world is up eight per cent from last year and Pearce says they’re predicting a third consecutive record year with 9.8 million overnight stays.

Canada (6 million), U.S. (2.4 million) and China (300,000), brought in the most tourists, however even their numbers are up between five and 15 per cent over last year.