British Columbia posted a 5.3% increase in international overnight visitors for 2014, surpassing the 3.2% increase in arrivals to Canada as a whole. This was the third straight year of increased visitation to B.C.

Figures released by Statistics Canada show an increase in international overnight visitors across all key markets, including those identified by Destination British Columbia as potential growth markets in its new three-year strategy.

China led the way with a 26.2% increase, adding an additional 53,217 visitors to B.C. in 2014. Visitors from Japan also grew by 12.2%, partly due to increased air access. A new flight by All Nippon Airways was introduced at the end of March 2014.