Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The number of tourists visiting our city has risen dramatically over the past few years. Close to 1.8 million international visitors vacationed in Puerto Vallarta in 2015, representing an increase of nearly 19 percent over the previous year.

Today, thanks in great part to the federal and state governments' efforts to strengthen connectivity by air and sea, and private entrepreneurs working with them to create new attractions that will lure even more visitors to Vallarta, tourism is accelerating at an unprecedented rate.

Puerto Vallarta by Air

In recent years, multiple airlines have expanded their services, and a few new airlines have added flights, to this popilar beach vacation destination.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, the company that operates Puerto Vallarta's international airport, recently reported that Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR) has reached its 38th month of continuous growth. In July 2016 passenger traffic was up 30% compared to July 2015. Domestic traffic grew 21.8% last month as a result of the fourteen thousand new seats added by VivaAerobus, while the international market benefited from the over nine thousand additional seats on Alaska Airlines.

All of this has led to an eight million dollar expansion of the airport's customs and immigration areas, which will make visitors' first experience in Puerto Vallarta run smoother and easier. According to the director of Puerto Vallarta's Tourism Trust, Agustin Alvarez Valdivia, the airport renovations began at the end of the high season and are expected to be completed before the next winter vacation period begins.

Puerto Vallarta by Sea

Cruise ship traffic has also been on the rise this year. During the first half of 2016 Puerto Vallarta welcomed an average of six cruise ships a month, adding up to 73 cruise arrivals between January and June.

According to information provided by the Port Authority of the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, each of these cruise ships accommodated an average of 2,389 passengers, which comes to more than 174,000 tourists - a 15% increase over the same period last year.

And, with the long-anticipated modernization and expansion of the maritime terminal expected to be completed in no more than two years, Jalisco State Tourism Secretary Enrique Ramos Flores believes we'll soon be seeing an increase in cruise ship companies' interest in calling on Puerto Vallarta.

The director of Puerto Vallarta's Tourism Trust, Agustin Alvarez Valdivia, says that the expansion of Puerto Vallarta's cruise ship port and the remodeling of the international airport are a sign of confidence by some very prominent entrepreneurs that tourism is strong and will continue to grow.

The fact that hotel occupancy records show that 82.6% of local rooms were booked in the first quarter of 2016; and that summer vacation occupancy is estimated to rise above 80%, with some weekends up to 100%, is another indicator that Puerto Vallarta tourism is alive and well, the official added.

With no end in sight to Puerto Vallarta's tourism growth, travelers who are looking to add Puerto Vallarta to their itinerary may need to book trips sooner rather than later to enjoy all of this beach vacation destination's unforgettable experiences.