Tourism to Israel in the first half of 2003 increased by 2% compared to the same period last year - "a particularly encouraging trend," says the Tourism Ministry, "in light of the damage done to the industry by the war in Iraq."
Almost 105,000 tourists came from the U.S. during this period - 14% more than in the first six months of 2002. France sent 13% more tourists, for a total of almost 58,5000, while Argentina's visitors climbed 17% to almost 4,000. Italian visitors numbered almost 9,000, for a 15% increase, and visitors from Central and South America climbed 12%. The number of tourists from Spain skyrocketed by 59%, to 6,630. Tourism was down significantly from India, China, and England - but the number of British tourists in June of this year compared with June of last year increased by 15%.
Almost 105,000 tourists came from the U.S. during this period - 14% more than in the first six months of 2002. France sent 13% more tourists, for a total of almost 58,5000, while Argentina's visitors climbed 17% to almost 4,000. Italian visitors numbered almost 9,000, for a 15% increase, and visitors from Central and South America climbed 12%. The number of tourists from Spain skyrocketed by 59%, to 6,630. Tourism was down significantly from India, China, and England - but the number of British tourists in June of this year compared with June of last year increased by 15%.