Israel continues to break incoming tourism records – 1.7 million visitors arrived during the first half of 2012, a 6% increase as compared with last year. Visitors include 1.4 million tourists, a 3% increase compared with the first half of 2011 and an 8% increase as compared with the first half of 2010.

The month of June also registered its own records. Throughout last month, 285,000 visitors entered the country – a 9% increase as compared with June 2011 and 10% more than in June 2010. Visitors in June included a record 242,000 tourists, a 6% increase as compared with June 2011 and a 13% increase as compared with June 2010.

June 2012 registered 210,000 entries via air travel, a 4% increase compared with June 2011. 32,000 tourists entered by land crossings, a 19% increase as compared with last year. 26,000 entries came through the Jordanian border (a 22% increase as compared with June 2011) and 5,600 came through Taba to Eilat (an 8% increase compared with June 2011). 43,000 entries were day visitors, a 28% increase compared with June 2011, 18,000 of which came through land crossings and 14,000 via air – double than in June 2011.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics show that in January-June 2012, 269,000 entries were day visitors, 26% more than during the same period last year. 1.2 million tourists entered via air travel, a 2% increase as compared with the same period last year. During the first half of 2012, 214,000 visitors entered via land crossings – an 11% increase as compared with the same period last year.

Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov: “Despite the economic recession, the complicated and ongoing geopolitical situation and the high expense of the Israel vacation package, we are registering impressive achievements in incoming tourism. I believe that implementing the conclusions of the Bar Nir Committee to reduce the cost of vacations in Israel, which we will publicize soon, will significantly increase incoming tourism and will make a vacation to Israel accessible to many more.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)