Canada saw a surge in visitors from Mexico in the second half of 2014, and the outlook for this year is “even more promising,” says the Canadian Tourism Commission.

More than 172,000 Mexicans vacationed in Canada last year, a 14 per cent jump compared with 2013, says the commission, Canada’s national tourism marketing organization.

It attributed the rise largely to eased visa requirements, and said new air travel options mean the numbers should continue to climb.

Aeromexico is introducing flights from Mexico City to Toronto in May, and Air Canada will fly from Mexico City to Montreal starting in June.

The commission said it has launched a major marketing campaign in Mexico that, in the coming months, will promote Whistler, B.C.; Festival International de Jazz de Montreal; Niagara Falls, Ont.; EdgeWalk at Toronto’s CN Tower; Columbia Icefield, Alta.; Granville Island, Vancouver; polar bear viewing in Manitoba; the northern lights in Yukon; and Hotel de Glace, Quebec.