Tourism Ministry officials estimate that 2013 will close with slight increase on visitor entries from the record year of 2012. This, despite the fact that incoming tourism had to deal with issues related to the security situation and the government budget. As a result of the marketing efforts and the development of new markets alongside maintaining existing markets, the annual contribution of tens of billions of shekels made by tourism to the economy has been maintained.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 306,000 visitors entered Israel in November 2013, 10% more than November 2012 (Operation Pillar of Defense), and slightly less than the months of November 2010 and 2011. Of these visitor entries, 256,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 15% more than November 2012, and 3% and 5% more than November 2010 and 2011 – an all-time record for the month. November also saw a reduction of 41% in the number of day visitors from Sinai into Israel from last year (because of the instability in Egypt), a continuation of the improvement from August -October 2013. There was however an improvement in the number of day visitors as compared to August-September 2013, with a 90% decrease. October 2013 did not include the Jewish holidays, so an increase in incoming tourism would be expected.

220,000 entries were by air, 19% more than November 2012, of which 8,000 arrived on direct flights to Eilat (6% less than November 2012) . 36,000 came through the border crossings, 7% less than November 2012; 27,000 came through the border with Jordan (1% increase) and about 9,200 through Taba to Eilat (23% less than last November).

49,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 9% less than November 2012. Of these, 32,000 arrived on cruise ships (40% more than last November). 15,000 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (48% decrease on November 2012) and about 2,000 by air (10% more than last November).

January-November 2013

Since the beginning of 2013 through November, about 3.3 million tourists and day visitors arrived in Israel, almost identical to the same period in 2012, 6% more than 2011 and 3% more than 2010. Of these entries, 2.7 million were tourists, a slight increase on the same period in 2012, 4% more than 2011 and 5% more than 2010. 2.4 million entries were recorded by air, 3% more than the same period in 2012.

About 547,000 entries were day visitors, 7% less than the same period last year. Of these entries, about 245,000 came on cruise ships, 7% more than in 2012. 179,000 came via the border crossings (35% less than 2012) and 123,000 by air (41% increase).

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau adds “Tourists continue to arrive in Israel from all over the world in growing numbers and see Israel as a safe and attractive tourist destination. The tourists choose to stay in a variety of different accommodation options, allowing the income generated to be dispersed across all sections of the population; small and large businesses, in the cities and in the periphery, can make a decent living from incoming tourism – and so it should be. The Tourism Ministry welcomes the increase in tourism and will continue to work tirelessly to increase incoming tourism, including next year.”

In response to the ministry of tourism figures indicating that November was a peak month in tourist entries to Israel, Alex Herman, VP of marketing and sales at the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel said:

“Here at the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel we defiantly felt a swell in numbers throughout November compared to previous years. The same can be said about the upcoming holiday season, which is traditionally a peak season for Jerusalem tourism. This year we are experiencing higher demands and less last minute cancellations as we anticipate an even more successful holiday period.“

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)