All the news about Israeli tourism

Based on the data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS); the first two months of 2009 showed sharps declines in both incoming and outgoing tourism.  Incoming tourism fell by 26%, while outgoing tourism was down by 20% percent compared to 2008.

Tourism figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics showed sharp falls in the both incoming and outgoing tourism.  The reasons for this decline were the global economic crisis and the military conflict in Gaza which took place in the first half of January.

In total 283 thousand tourists entered Israel in January and February, of which 25 thousand were one day visitors, a fall of 56 percent on 2008.  The Central Bureau of Statistics commented that a relaxation of visa requirements introduced in 2007 resulted in a large number of group arrivals in 2008.

During February 2009 incoming tourism fell by 24 percent compared to the same period last year.  In total there were 152 thousand visitors to Israel of which 13 thousand were one day visitors.

Outbound tourism from Israel also showed the same sharp decline; with a total of 360 thousand Israelis travelling overseas during the first two months of the year.  This was a fall of 20 percent on the same period last year.  Of this number, 326 thousand departed by air (down 18 percent on 2008), 33 thousand overland and only 600 by sea.