According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 278,800 tourist entries were recorded in August 2018, about 10% more than August 2017. In the period January – August 2018, about 2.6 million tourist entries were recorded, 16.5% increase on the same period last year. Revenue from tourism in August reached about $ 414 million and from the period January – August 2018, $3.9 billion.

Among the source countries showing the greatest increase for incoming tourism in August 2018 on August 2017: Spain (48%); Italy (43%); Brazil (52%). A significant increase was also registered in those source countries in which the Tourism Ministry recently began marketing activities: Czech Republic (27%); Hungary (25%); Austria (15%) and Switzerland (14%)

August 2018
There was a 10% increase in tourist entries in August 2018 as compared to 2017 and 32% increase on August 2016.
• 250,800 tourist entries were by air, 8.2% more than August 2017 and 28.9% more than August 2016.
• 28,000 tourists arrived via the land crossings, 27.8% more than in August 2017 and 66.2% more than in 2016.
• 22,200 arrived as day visitors in August, 4.7% more than August 2017 and 136.2% more than in 2016.

January- August 2018
In January- August 2018, about 2.6 million tourist entries were recorded, an increase of 16.5% on the same period in 2017 (about 2.3 million) and 44% more than in 2016.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin: “Month after month we are witnessing new achievements and record highs in incoming tourism. This is proof of the success of the innovative, marketing activities that we are implementing, together with the incentives for airlines and investments in infrastructure. The tourism industry continues to be a significant factor in making exceptional impact and contributions to the Israeli economy and workforce. I believe and hope that the new year will be a prosperous one for the tourism industry. Happy New Year!”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)