The growth trend in incoming tourism continues. According to Central Bureau of Statistics figures, Israel welcomed a record number of visitors in February.
222,000 visitors arrived in February, the highest single-month total in Israel's history. The figure was 46% more than February 2009, 12% more than February 2008 and 4% more than February 2000.
178,000 visitors stayed at least one night in Israel, an increase of 28% over February 2009 and 3% on February 2008. 43,900 visitors stayed only for a day, including 13,200 on cruise ships.
In the first two months of 2010, 434,300 tourists have visited Israel. 283,400 visited in the corresponding period of 2009.
Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov once again warned about the anticipated lack of hotel rooms in the near future due to the continuing growth in incoming tourism: "I call upon entrepreneurs and hoteliers today to take advantage of the help available through the Tourism Ministry to build new hotels and bring other hotels back into use. A lack of hotel rooms in the future will adversely affect our ability to host tourists in Israel and lead to the loss of many millions in income."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 9, 2010
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010