Above: the Grand Velas Riviera Maya

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Mexico saw an almost 15 percent increase in revenue from international visitors in the first quarter of 2014, according to data from the country’s Central Bank.

In the first three months of 2014, international visitors brought in $4.436 billion USD, which represented a 14.8 percent improvement over the $3.864 billion visitors spent in the first quarter of 2013.

Last year, Mexico saw a record high in foreign exchange earnings from tourism, with a total of $13.819 billion overall.

In March alone, revenue from foreign visitors totaled $1.635 million.

The Central Bank said visitors who arrived by air showed the most growth, with an 18.5 percent improvement in revenue.

Last month, air arrivals spent an average of $969 during their visits.