According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, a record-breaking 385,000 visitor entries were recorded in Israel in April 2014, 9% more than April 2013, 5% more than April 2012 and 12% more than April 2011. Of these visitor entries, a record-breaking 342,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 14% more than April 2013, and 16% and 31% more than April 2012 and 2011 respectively.

In order to neutralize the impact of the Pesach and Easter holidays, the statistics for March-April 2014 were also examined: 687,000 visitors came in that two month period, 5% more than the same period last year. Of these, 625,000 were tourists, 14% more than the same period last year.

296,000 entries were by air, 16% more than April 2013, of which 9,500 arrived on direct flights to Eilat (12% more than April 2013) . 46,000 tourists came through the border crossings, 1% less than April 2013; 36,000 came through the border with Jordan (6% increase) and about 10,000 through Taba to Eilat (19% more than last April).

43,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 20% less than April 2013. Of these, 24,000 arrived on cruise ships, 19 more than last April. 16,000 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (48% decrease on last year) and about 3,100 by air (similar to last year).

January-April 2014

In January-April 2014, 1.16 million visitors arrived in Israel (including day visitors), 5% more than the same period in 2013, 5% more than 2012 and 9% more than 2011. Of these, 1.05 million were tourists, 16% more than 2013 and 12% and 21% more than 2012 and 2011 respectively. 900,000 entries were by air, 16% more than the same period in 2013. 113,000 day visitors entered Israel, 44% less than the same period in 2013. Of these, 45,000 arrived on cruise ships (51% decrease); 60,000 came through the border (41% decrease) and about 9,000 entries were by air (18% decrease).

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau: “The first quarter of 2014 brings with it new tourism records and upward trends. We hope that the record for incoming tourism into Israel will be broken again this year, as in the previous two years. We anticipate that the visit of Pope Francis at the end of May will cause a significant spike in incoming tourism and we welcome the faithful with open arms. Those that come to Israel will discover a country not only blessed with so many holy sites, but also spectacular landscapes, rich in history, culture and night life. ”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)