In the first half of 2001, some 220,000 Jewish tourists came to Israel. Almost 70% of them defined themselves as religious or traditional. More specifically, 8% (14% of American tourists) said they were hareidi, 28% - Orthodox, 33% - traditional, and 12% - Reform. Almost one-eighth came for business/study purposes, and the rest - 88% - came to visit and tour.
The number of Jews who visited from the U.S. last year was 70,000, while 48,000 came from France and 36,000 arrived from England. However, these numbers are misleading: Only 1.2% of American Jews came to visit, while 8% of European Jews came - 13% of English Jewry, 9% of French Jewry, and a whopping 19% from Belgium/Holland. Overall, it was the first visit to Israel for 13% of those Jews who came to Israel last year; the first-timers were mostly from Eastern Europe.
The number of Jews who visited from the U.S. last year was 70,000, while 48,000 came from France and 36,000 arrived from England. However, these numbers are misleading: Only 1.2% of American Jews came to visit, while 8% of European Jews came - 13% of English Jewry, 9% of French Jewry, and a whopping 19% from Belgium/Holland. Overall, it was the first visit to Israel for 13% of those Jews who came to Israel last year; the first-timers were mostly from Eastern Europe.