American tourists steadily rising at Peace Arch border crossing

The number of Americans crossing into Canada continues to steadily rise at Peace Arch.

Last May, U.S. visitors into B.C.climbed close to 222,000 in 2015 up from 171,000 in 2012, according to figures released from the Canada Border Services Agency.

Tourism Vancouver says the increase in numbers from the U.S. is a positive sign for the province.

"It is our single most important international market and to see that surge in demand is awesome," saysStephen Pearce, vice-president of marketing atTourism Vancouver."It is a market being courted by a lot of destinations, Caribbean, Mexico and Australia are all going after Americans but they like Canada."

The Canadian dollar closed on Tuesday at just 80 cents, but a weak looniemay be only one of the many factors driving American tourists.The strengthening U.S. economy and renewed confidence is also boostingmore of them to travel.

The challenge now, Pearce says, is to get the Americans to come visit in the winter when it's colder.