May 2013 has registered an all-time record for incoming tourism both in terms of tourists and visitors. 336,000 visitors entered Israel in May 2013, 5% more than May 2012, 9% more than in 2011 and 2010. Of these, 283,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 5% more than in May 2012, 6% more than in 2011 and 11% more than May 2010.

241,000 entries were by air (6% more than in May 2012 and higher than 2011 and 2010), of which 3,600 arrived on direct flights into Eilat and Uvda (for vacations in Eilat), 33% less than in May 2012. 42,000 arrived through the border crossings, similar in number to May 2012; 30,000 came through the border with Jordan (5% decrease) and 12,000 through Taba and Eilat (12% more than last May).

53,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 2% more than May 2012.Of these, 14,000 arrived on cruise ships (10% less than last May). 22,000 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (11% decrease) and about 17,100 by air (44% more than last May).

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau stated “Tourism is an essential economic growth engine for the economy – it creates jobs in cities and the periphery and generates about 30 billion NIS every year for the state coffers. The cancellation of the VAT levy on incoming tourism, the “Open Skies” agreement and supportive government policies represent an important base for the ministry’s activities, We have a wonderful tourism product and we must realize its inherent potential; we will work to maintain this upward trend in the future.”

January-May 2013

Since the beginning of 2013 through May, 1.4 million visitors arrived in Israel, 1% more than the same period in 2012, 7% more than 2011 and 5% more than 2010. This represents another record figure for the months Jan-May. Of these, 1.2 million were tourists, 1% less than 2012, 2% more than 2011 and 5% more than 2010. Over 1 million entries were recorded by air, similar to 2012.

About 255,000 entries were day visitors, 13% more than the same period last year. Of these about 105,000 came on cruise ships, 26% more than in 2012. 123,000 came via the border crossings (1% more than 2012) and 28,000 by air (30% increase).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)