256,000 tourists visited Israel in November 2013, 15% more than in November 2012, an all-time high for this month, the Ministry of Tourism reports, on the basis of Central Bureau of Statistics data. The ministry predicts that there will slightly more visitor entries in 2013 than in 2012, "despite the fact that incoming tourism had to deal with issues related to the security situation and the government budget"
220,000 tourists arrived by air in November 19% more than in the corresponding month, including 8,000 tourists who flew directly to Eilat.
3.3 million tourists and day visitors entered Israel in January-November 2013, unchanged from the corresponding period in 2012, and 6% more than in 2011. 2.4 million tourists arrived by air, 3% more than in the corresponding quarter period.
Minister of Tourism Uzi Landau said, "Tourists continue to arrive in Israel from all over the world in growing numbers and see Israel as a safe and attractive tourist destination. The tourists choose to stay in a variety of different accommodation options, allowing the income generated to be dispersed across all sections of the population; small and large businesses, in the cities and in the periphery, can make a decent living from incoming tourism - and so it should be."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 11, 2013
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