B.C. tourists flocking from Paris, Mexico

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

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

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

Good conditions 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%