Canada saw a record amount of international visitors in 2018

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Canada saw a record-breaking number of international visitors to reach a total of 21.13 million in 2018, according to Destination Canada, the country's national marketing organization.

The number of tourists from China hit 737,379 in 2018, marking a six percent growth compared to that of 2017 and setting a new record high, followed by France with 604,166, up five percent, Mexico with 404,402, also up five percent, and India with 287,416, up a staggering 15 percent.

Factors that contributed to the record-setting performance include the opening of new visa application centers in China, Canada's third largest source market, new flight routes, increased service to Canadian airports and flight capacity, and visa changes for priority markets.

Meanwhile, overnight arrivals to Canada from countries other than the United States reached an all-time high of 6.7 million in 2018, representing 32 percent of the total arrivals, according to Destination Canada.

Tourism generated 745,300 jobs in communities across Canada and contributed an estimated 102.5 billion Canadian dollars (about 77.6 billion U.S. dollars) to the economy.

However, the number of Canadians travelling overseas declined by two percent to 12 million. This was the first time in 15 years that it has declined.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)