Israel’s Tourism Ministry has announced record-breaking figures for 2013’s tourism market. Overall, 3.54 million visitors arrived in Israel in 2013, half a percent more than the previous record year of 2012.
“The year 2013 is a record year for tourism and we are proud of that,” said Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau. “The Tourism Ministry will continue to invest in maintaining the numbers of tourists arriving in Israel, by opening new markets and actively marketing the tourism product around the world. I wish all tourists a happy 2014.”
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 272,000 visitors entered Israel in December 2013, 14 percent more than December 2012 and 1% and 3% higher respectively than December 2010 and 2011. Of these visitor entries, 241,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 24% more than December 2012.
Jerusalem was the most visited place. And tourism contributed some $11 billion to the local economy in 2013, says the Tourism Ministry.
While visitors hailed from across the globe, the leading source countries for incoming tourism were the US, Russia, France, Germany, and the UK.