1.5 million tourists visited Israel in 2004, 41% more than in 2003, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported today. The outbreak of the war in Iraq made 2003 a very poor year for tourism.
The number of tourist entries to Israel in 2004 was still 38% fewer than in the record year of 2000. For the sake of comparison, 6-7 million tourists a year visit Cyprus, which is small and geographically close to Israel.
139,400 tourists entered Israel in December 2004, 123,500 of whom entered by air.
1.33 million tourists entered Israel by air in 2004, 37% more than in 2003. 163,000 tourists entered by land, 86% more than in 2003. Some of the tourists entering Israel by land were returning, after leaving Israel for a trip to neighboring countries. 4,600 tourists entered Israel by sea, 28% more than in 2003, and 200 tourists arrived by cruise ship.
43,500 tourists arrived on direct flights to Eilat, up 42%, compared with 2003. 84,600 of the tourist entries by land arrived through border crossings with Jordan, 81% more than in 2003, and 78,300 arrived through border crossings with Egypt, a rise of 95%, compared with the preceding year.
378,000 tourists visited Israel from the US in 2004, more than from any other country, over a quarter of all tourist entries to Israel, and an increase of 39%, compared with 2003. The next highest number of tourists, 256,000, came from France, 16% of all tourist entries, and 47% more than in 2003.
146,000 tourists visited Israel from Great Britain in 2004, a tenth of all tourist entries, and 40% more than in the preceding year. 75,000 tourists came from Germany, up 54%, compared with 2003, and 55,000 from Russia, 33% more than in 2003. 43,000 tourists came from Canada, 38% more than in 2003, and 42,000 from Italy, 60% more than in the preceding year.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on January 18, 2005