In the first half of 2017, tourism to Israel skyrocketed, leaving the previous six-month record in the dust.
If it seems that there are more tourists enjoying Israeli historical sites such as the Western Wall and Masada, it’s not an illusion. Recent statistics from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism demonstrate that the nation has already broken records this year, notching 1.74 million tourist entries between January and June alone.
These numbers represent an over 25 percent increase from the previous year. In June alone, Israel welcomed 303,000 tourist entries, up 28 percent from last June. According to Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, growth in Israeli tourism is no accident, and instead represents the product of careful planning.
New Waves of Tourists Flock to Holy Land
“Our policy continues to prove itself and to bear fruit and we can see that the right marketing strategy can bring Israel to new heights. We are implementing marketing activities and innovative processes to brand Israel and to bring new airlines and new routes into Israel and all this activity proves itself, month after month,” explained Levin.
This “significant increase in incoming tourism” is not just a source of pride for Israelis, the influx also “makes an exceptional contribution to the Israeli economy and workforce,” explained Levin.
Visitors from All Over the World
According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, tourists from nations across the globe are arriving in greater numbers. For instance, there was a 76 percent increase in tourism from China during the first half of 2017, in comparison to that period in 2016. There were also dramatic increases in tourism from Russia and the US, the latter of which represents the largest source of incoming tourism for Israel.
With numbers such as these, the future looks bright for Israeli tourism. “I am convinced that, with the correct activities, we will continue to see good results in the coming months,” concluded Levin.
By: United with Israel
Do You Love Israel? Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that protect Israelis and help educate and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight the battle of public opinion. Israel’s enemies are using social media to incite brutal terror against innocent civilians. Please help us fight back!
Source: United with Israel
