According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 255,000 visitors entered Israel in September 2013, 16% less than September 2012, and less than 2010 and 2011. Of these visitor entries, 212,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 10% less than September 2012, 8% less than September 2011 and 3% less than in 2010.

The number of incoming tourists was influenced by seasonal changes and the changes in the dates of the Yomim Tovim. The decrease in arrivals in September 2013 can be attributed to various factors including: a 90% decrease in the number of day visitors arriving via the land crossings (because of the instability in Egypt). In addition, all the Tishrei Yomim Tovim this year fell in September, whereas last year only the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur fell in the month of September. These Yomim Tovim do not exert a positive influence on incoming tourism due to the high prices and high occupancy of hotels (largely by Israeli clients). Without a government budget for 8 months, there had been very limited marketing activity leading up to this period.

192,000 entries were by air (8% more than September 2012, and 20,000 arrived through the border crossings, 29% less than September 2012; 18,000 came through the border with Jordan (14% decrease) and about 2,300 through Taba and Eilat (70% less than last September).

43,000 entries were recorded by day visitors, 38% less than September 2012.Of these, 22,000 arrived on cruise ships (31% less than last September). 2,400 day visitors arrived via the land crossings (90% decrease on September 2012) and about 18,000 by air (49% more than last September). The decrease in visitor entries can be attributed primarily to the decrease in day visitors crossing into Israel from Sinai at Taba into Eilat (51% less than in July 2012).

January-September 2013

Since the beginning of 2013 through September, more than 2.6 million visitors arrived in Israel, 2% more than the same period in 2012, 5% more than 2011 and 4% more than 2010. Of these entries, 2.1 million were tourists, 2% less than 2012, 2% more than 2011 and 5% more than 2010. 1.9 million entries were recorded by air, 1% less than the same period in 2012.

About 444,000 entries were day visitors, similar to the same period last year. Of these entries, about 178,000 came on cruise ships, 15% more than in 2012. 155,000 came via the border crossings (27% less than 2012) and 111,000 by air (41% increase).

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau stated “Israel continues to be one of the safest tourist destinations. parallel to encouraging foreign tourism and concentrating efforts on lowering the cost of vacationing in Israel with investment in hotel construction and camping site development, the Tourism Ministry is working intensively to encourage and strengthen domestic tourism.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)