Central Bureau of Statistics figures show that 2.87 million tourists have visited Israel in the period January-October 2010 more than the total number of tourists who visited Israel in all of 2009. The numbers through October represent an increase of 27% over the same period in 2009 and 12% more than 2008, Israel’s record year to date (3 million tourists).
According to Tourism Ministry estimates, a new record for incoming tourism will be reached in the coming days and 2010 is expected to end with about 3.3 million tourists.
In October, 404,000 tourists arrived in Israel an all-time high for this month and an increase of 23% over October 2009 and 34% more than 2008.
The CBS data, released today, shows that 2.3 million of the 2.87 million tourists stayed for at least one night in Israel an increase of 22% over last year and 8% over 2008. 129,500 tourists visited Israel on cruise ships in October, 2 to 3 times more than the numbers for the last two years. 43,200 tourists arrived on direct flights into Eilat an increase of 20% on 2009 and 37% more than in 2008.
According to Tourism Ministry estimates, the contribution to the Israeli economy of incoming tourism only in the period Jan-August 2010 stands at about $2.3 billion (excluding travel taxes) 37% more than the income from the same period in 2009.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 10, 2010
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