Puerto Vallarta and Mexico's tourism industry have set a blistering pace over the first half of 2017, the destination's tourism board announced Tuesday and the resort city is currently on schedule to host a record number of visitors by the end of the year.

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board reported a more than six per cent increase in hotel occupancy over the first six months of 2017. Puerto Vallarta also reported an occupancy rate of close to 90 per cent for the months of January through June. By comparison, the city reported 73 percent occupancy in 2016 and 70 percent during 2015.

Throughout the first six months, international passenger arrivals to Puerto Vallarta International Airport increased by more than 12 per cent, compared to the same period in 2016, with 1,843,600 foreign travellers passing through the airport. And Canada’s airlines continue to grow their service to Puerto Vallarta, with Sunwing adding service from Victoria and Abbotsford, and WestJet adding service from both Regina and Abbotsford.

Passengers visiting Puerto Vallarta on cruise calls reached 189,324 over the first half of 2017, marking a two per cent increase from last year.

The city is coming off one of its best years ever during 2016, in which it hosted nearly four million international and national tourists. At the moment, it appears poised to celebrate another phenomenal tourism year in 2017.

Puerto Vallarta's encouraging tourism growth can be attributed to its tourism board's proactive promotional and communication campaign in its primary markets of Canada and the US, as well as its world-class beaches, hotels and restaurants.

The city has also long been one of the world's most LGBT-friendly destinations. As TravelPulse's Janeen Christoff reported in April, LGBT visitors account for 15 to 20 per cent of Puerto Vallarta's visitor arrivals in a given year and this year the city hosted its largest pride festival ever.

Brian Simpson contributed to this article.

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