Israel’s Tourism Ministry will invest 15 million shekels (close to $4 million) in 2010 in developing Jerusalem’s tourism infrastructure and promoting events to encourage domestic and foreign tourism.

This is in line with the new work plan presented by Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov, which positions Israel as the Holy Land with Jerusalem at its center.

In recent years, the Tourism Ministry has invested tens of millions of shekels in developing and improving the tourism infrastructure in the capital. The additional investment in 2010 will facilitate an increase in the scope of tourist activities as well as the entry of more tourists and visitors to various sites.

The ministry will encourage domestic and incoming tourism by raising awareness of events and festivals taking place in the city.

According to the Tourism Ministry, 74 percent of all tourists to Israel visit Jerusalem, with 53% spending at least one night in the capital and an average of six nights. The most visited sites within Jerusalem are the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, the Mount of Olives, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Tower of David and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority.