There were a record number of tourists in July 2013 - 245,900, 2% more than in July 2012 and 4% more than in July 2011, the Ministry of Tourism reported today. There were two million tourists and day visitors in January-July.
However, the total number of incoming visitors fell to 293,600 in July, 1% fewer than in July 2012, although 5% higher than the number of visitors in July 2011 and 7% higher than in July 2010. The Ministry of Tourism attributes the drop in visitors was due to a 56% drop in the number of day visitors from Sinai in July compared with the corresponding month.
The Ministry of Tourism defines a tourist as a visitor (excluding visits by Israelis living abroad) who stay at least one night in the country, and day visitors as visitors who do not.
Most tourists to Israel arrive by air: 219,700 in July, 3% more than in July 2012. 25,900 tourists arrived by land in July, 8% fewer than in the corresponding month, including 20,000 from Jordan (down 14%), and 7,700 from Egypt via Eilat (up 51%).
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 12, 2013
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