During the first ten months of the year, 2.8 million visitors arrived in Israel, a 3% decrease as compared to the same period last year. Of those visitors, 2.4 million were tourists who stayed in Israel for more than one night (with an average of eight nights); 427,000 entries were day visitors – 19% less than the same period last year, of which 176,000 came from cruise ships, a 36% increase.

In October alone, 346,000 visitors came to Israel – the highest number in the last few years, except last year in which 400,000 arrived (a 14% decrease). The decrease, compared to last year, is the result of the holiday season which causes hotel and airfare prices to increase dramatically (this year, Yom Kippur and Sukkot fell on October while last year they were in September). Another explanation for this decrease is the tourism crisis in Egypt which continues to influence cross-border traffic.

Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov, completed his visit yesterday at the second largest tourism fair in the world, WTM London, during which he met with leading tourism professionals in England in order to examine various means to encourage tourism to Israel. Minister Misezhnikov arrived this morning in France where he will meet with leaders of the Jewish and Christian communities and representatives from the local tourism industry. Tomorrow, Thursday (13 Cheshvan), Misezhnikov will meet with the French Minister of Tourism, Frédéric Lefebvre to sign a new tourism agreement which will replace the agreement from 1989. The new agreement is intended to improve cooperation between the countries, including mutual efforts to promote tourism, expert delegation exchanges, new anchors to promote French investors in the Israeli hotel industry, professional development information exchange and developing tourism service standards.

Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov: “Representatives of the Tourism Ministry in 17 Israel Government Tourism Offices worldwide are actively promoting tourism to Israel, while dealing with the various obstacles in each country. Despite regional events, geopolitical and economic crises, we have been able to stabilize incoming tourism with intensive and targeted marketing in traditional markets in the United States and Europe and more intense activities in new markets in Asia and South America.”

France is the third largest source country for incoming tourism after the United States and Russia. The period January to September saw a 2% increase in tourism traffic from France to Israel. The average expenditure of a French tourist in Israel is $1172 per visit, while most of the tourists from France are Jewish (78%) and only a minority is Catholic (17%). During his visit to France, Minister Misezhnikov will meet with leaders of the Catholic and Evangelical Church, as well as leading tour operators and leaders of the Jewish community.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)