Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: “The new records and the consistent and continuing increase in incoming tourism are the result of the intensive and focused marketing work of the ministry and the improvement in the tourism product. We have succeeded in acquainting many visitors from around the world with Israeli tourism, to experience it and even to pass that positive experience on to others. Next week, we are launching a campaign to encourage Israelis to serve as tourism ambassadors for Israel and, in a joint effort, we can propel tourism to its rightful place on the national agenda, be it for its economic value or its value in promoting a positive image for Israel.”

Based on the Central Bureau of Statistics data released today, 29 Tishrei 5773, 305,000 visitors arrived in Israel in September 2012, an increase of 8% on last year (283,000) and 13% more than the record year of 2010. Of these, 236,000 were tourists (visitors who stayed at least one night in Israel), 3% more than last year and a new record for the month of September.

Day visitors also registered an increase, with 70,000 entries, 28% more than last year. Of these, 33,000 arrived on cruise ships, 53% more than in September 2011.

There was an increase in day visitors arriving by air with 12,000 entries, 51% more than in September 2011.

From the beginning of the year until the end of September, a new record of 2.6 million visitor arrivals was registered, 7% more than the same period last year and 6% more than the previous record in 2010. Of these arrivals, 2.2 million were tourists, 4 % more than the same period last year. 444,000 were one day visitors, 27% more than last year.

1.9 million tourists arrived by air January-September 2012, 3% more than in 2011, 300,000 people arrived through the land crossings, an increase of 9%. 211,000 of the day visitors arrived by land, 32% more than last year. 154,000 entries related to visitors arriving on cruise ships, an increase of 17%.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)