According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 205,000 visitor entries were recorded in Israel in September 2014, 20% less than September 2013. This number is lower than all the September statistics from 2008-2013. Of these visitor entries, 179,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 15% less than September 2013, and lower than the September statistics from 2008-2013.
158,000 entries were by air, 17% less than September 2013. 21,000 tourists came through the border crossings, 4.5% more than September 2013; 13,000 came through the border with Jordan (38% decrease) and about 8,000 through Taba to Eilat (3.5 times more than last September).
26,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 40% less than September 2013. Of these, 600 arrived on cruise ships, 97% less than last September (22,500). 9,000 day visitors arrived by air (48% less than last year) and about 16,000 came via the land crossings (6.5 times more than last year). In 2013, there were few entries across the border due to the events taking place there.
January- September 2014
In January- September 2014, 2.5 million visitors arrived in Israel (including day visitors), 4% less than the same period in 2013, 5% less than the same period in 2012, but an increase compared to 2011. Of these, more than 2.2 million were tourists, 5% more than 2013 and 3% and 7% more than 2012 and 2011 respectively. 1.9 million entries were by air, 4% and 3% more than the same period in 2013 and 2012. 309,000 entries were by land (13% increase).
250,000 day visitors entered Israel, 44% less than the same period in 2013. Of these, 66,500 arrived on cruise ships (63% decrease); 98,000 came through the border crossings (37% decrease) and about 86,000 entries were by air (22% decrease).
July-September 2014
In the last three months (July-September 2014), about 600,000 visitors entered Israel, 27% less that the same period last year (832,000). The most significant decrease was recorded in cruise ships – 93%. However, it should be noted that this decrease in cruise ships pre-dates the Operation Protective Edge.
Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau commented “This week we registered an important achievement – the increase of flights from Moscow to Uvda airport near Eilat. This is the first signs of a recovery for tourism in the days after Operation Protective Edge. The hard work of tourism ministry employees and industry representatives, day in day out, combined with the ‘Precisely Now’ marketing campaign and the approval of a half a billion shekel aid package all helps to stabilize the industry in these challenging times.”
Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevy added “While the numbers show a slight recovery – and that is encouraging – we are receiving reports of cancellation for the coming months, and we know that tourism is the last to recover. We are working via our offices overseas to get the bookings back again.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
20% less than September 2013 Simple:- Because last year all of the Chaggim occurred during September, whereas this year, with exception of Rosh haShono, all of Chaggim are occurring during October.