1.8 Million Tourists Expected in 2005

August 8, 2005

“The rise in tourist numbers would be even more impressive if an ‘open skies’ policy were implemented,” says Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson. “The ministry’s encouragement of charter flights and [its] overseas marketing campaign are working.”

According to CBS and Ministry of Tourism statistics, 91,400 tourists entered Israel from the U.S. in the first quarter of 2005, a 25% increase over the same period last year. A 9% rise was indicated in the arrival of 32,600 from Britain.

Other increases were registered from Germany (22,000 tourists, a 47% rise), France (58,000 tourists, a 25% rise), and Italy (11,300 tourists, a 42% increase). Ten thousand Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Finnish visitors entered Israel, jumping 31%; 8,100 tourists entered the country from Korea, 25% more than 2004 and 58% more than 2000. Thanks to the resumption of charter flights and an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and tourism operator Genesis, the number of tourists from Portugal leaped 114%.

Photo Credit: