The following was communicated to Joel Leyden, publisher of the Israel News Agency:
ALL-TIME RECORD IN TOURISM ENTRIES FOR NOVEMBER:
15% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR;
3% MORE THAN 2010 AND 5% MORE THAN 2011
306,000 VISITOR ENTRIES RECORDED IN NOVEMBER 2013, 10% MORE THAN NOVEMBER 2012
3.3 MILLION VISITOR ENTRIES RECORDED JAN-NOV 2013, ALMOST IDENTICAL TO SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR
Tourism Ministry estimates that 2013 will close with slight increase on
visitor entries from the record year of 2012. This, despite the fact
that incoming tourism had to deal with issues related to the security
situation and the government budget. As a result of the marketing
efforts and the development of new markets alongside maintaining
existing markets, the annual contribution of tens of billions of shekels
made by tourism to the economy has been maintained.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 306,000 visitors entered
Israel in November 2013, 10% more than November 2012 (Operation Pillar
of Defense), and slightly less than the months of November 2010 and
2011. Of these visitor entries, 256,000 were tourists (staying more
than one night), 15% more than November 2012, and 3% and 5% more than
November 2010 and 2011 - an all-time record for the month. November
also saw a reduction of 41% in the number of day visitors from Sinai
into Israel from last year (because of the instability in Egypt), a
continuation of the improvement from August -October 2013. There was
however an improvement in the number of day visitors as compared to
August-September 2013, with a 90% decrease. October 2013 did not include
the Jewish holidays, so an increase in incoming tourism would be
expected.
220,000 entries were by air, 19% more than November 2012, of which 8,000
arrived on direct flights to Eilat (6% less than November 2012) .
36,000 came through the border crossings, 7% less than November 2012;
27,000 came through the border with Jordan (1% increase) and about 9,200
through Taba to Eilat (23% less than last November).
49,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 9% less than November
2012. Of these, 32,000 arrived on cruise ships (40% more than last
November). 15,000 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (48%
decrease on November 2012) and about 2,000 by air (10% more than last
November).
January-November 2013
Since the beginning of 2013 through November, about 3.3 million tourists
and day visitors arrived in Israel, almost identical to the same period
in 2012, 6% more than 2011 and 3% more than 2010. Of these entries, 2.7
million were tourists, a slight increase on the same period in 2012, 4%
more than 2011 and 5% more than 2010. 2.4 million entries were
recorded by air, 3% more than the same period in 2012.
About 547,000 entries were day visitors, 7% less than the same period
last year. Of these entries, about 245,000 came on cruise ships, 7% more
than in 2012. 179,000 came via the border crossings (35% less than
2012) and 123,000 by air (41% increase).
TOURISM MINISTER DR.UZI LANDAU:
"Tourists continue to arrive in Israel
from all over the world in growing numbers and see Israel as a safe and
attractive tourist destination. The tourists choose to stay in a variety
of different accommodation options, allowing the income generated to be
dispersed across all sections of the population; small and large
businesses, in the cities and in the periphery, can make a decent living
from incoming tourism - and so it should be. The Tourism Ministry
welcomes the increase in tourism and will continue to work tirelessly to
increase incoming tourism, including next year."
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