Despite Operation Protective Edge, stability in the number of tourists in 2014:

2.9 million tourist entries, just 1% down as compared to 2013; 1% more than 2012 and 4% more than 2010 and 2011

8% decrease in the number of visitor entries (including day visitors and cruise ships) for 2014 (8% increase in first half of 2014; 24% decrease in second half of 2014)

December tourist entries: 203,000 (16% less than December 2013) December visitor entries (including day visitors and cruise ships): 219,000 (20% decrease)

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau: ‘Tourism in 2014 closed with a slight decrease compared to the previous year – and this despite Operation Protective Edge. The Tourism Ministry worked intensively to maintain the numbers for incoming tourism and succeeded in this goal. The aid package drawn up by the ministry, the involvement of senior figures in the tourism industry and the response of Israelis who took vacations in the country strengthened the industry. I am optimistic that this will continue and leave its mark in 2015. ”

In December 2014, 219,000 visitor entries were recorded, a decrease of 20% compared to December 2013. This number is the lower than all the December statistics from 2009-2013. Of these entries, 203, 000 were tourist entries (staying more than one night), 16% less than in December 2013, 4% higher than December 2012 (the influence of Cast Lead) and lower than the December statistics for 2010 and 2011.

179,000 entries were by air, 15% less than December 2013. Of these, 2,500 tourists arrived by flights directly to Eilat, a 64% decrease from December 2013 when 7,000 tourists arrived. 25,000 tourists came through by land border crossings, a 18% decrease on the December 2013 statistics: 16,000 came through the border with Jordan (30% decrease) and about 9,000 through Taba to Eilat (a 15% increase compared to the December 2013 statistics).

15,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 50% less than December 2013. Of these, more than 1,200 arrived on cruise ships, 90% less than the 12,000 who arrived by ship last December. 5,600 day visitors arrived by air (double the number who arrived in December 2013) and about 8,500 came via the land crossings (48% less than December 2013).

The tourism year 2014

About 3.25 million visitor entries were recorded in Israel in 2014, 8% less than 2013 and 2012; 3% less than 2011 and 6% less than 2010. The number of tourist entries (not including day visitors) totaled about 2.9 million, 1% less than 2013; 1% higher than 2012 and 4% higher than 2011. 2.5 million arrived by air , a decrease of 2% compared to 2013; 2%higher than in 2012 and 2011. About 400,000 came through the land borders, a 5% increase compared to 2013.

324,000 entries were day visitors, a decrease of 44%: of these 88,000 came on cruise ships, a 66% decrease compared to 2013. 138,000 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (29% less than last year) and about 98,000 came by air (22% decrease on last year).

Tourism before and after Operation Protective Edge

In the first half of 2014, there was an 8% increase in the visitor entries. In the second half of 2014, there was a 24% decrease in visitor entries. The average decrease for 2014 for visitor entries was 8%.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)