Tourism operators in British Columbia are smiling over the news that the province is attracting more and more visitors from abroad.

The number of international overnight visitors entering B.C. has increased for seven consecutive months, according to recent figures from Statistics Canada.

In December 2010, these visits rose by 6.6 per cent compared to the same month in 2009—nearly triple the 2.4 per cent growth across Canada. One in four overnight visitors entered Canada from B.C. in 2010, accounting for a four per cent increase in international arrivals in that province compared to an increase of 2.3 per cent for the country as a whole.

Despite the high Canadian dollar, there has also been resurgence in overnight visitors from the U.S., B.C.'s largest single tourist market. In December 2010, those visits were up by 6.2 per cent, compared to 2009.

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