Israel Tourism Remains Strong Despite Mid-East Unrest, Egyptian Border Visits Down 82%
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by Zach Pontz
Tel Aviv beach. Photo: wiki commons.
Despite upheaval in the Middle East, tourism to Israel has remained relatively strong, Israel’s Tourism Ministry said on Tuesday.
According to the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics, 284,000 visitors entered Israel in August 2013, 5% less than August 2012, 5% more than in 2011 and 2% more than in 2010. The decrease can be attributed to the 82% drop in day visitors crossing from the Sinai into Israel because of the instability in Egypt, it said.
Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau was bullish on the numbers, saying: “Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed record numbers of incoming tourists. Israel remains a safe destination for tourists from around the world and for domestic tourism. The Tourism Ministry will continue to work with all its power to strengthen – in the current period and beyond.”
Since the beginning of 2013 through August, about 2.3 million visitors arrived in Israel, 0.3% more than the same period in 2012, 7% more than 2011 and 6% more than 2010.
