Israel has always been an attraction for tourists, with sites such as Jerusalem, Massada, Tzfat and the Kinneret traditionally and automatically starring on tourist agendas around the world. Now, however, a new area has apparently been added: The Negev.
Arutz-7's Moshe Priel reports that the year 2003 saw a 15% increase in the number of visitors to the tourist sites in the Negev, not including Eilat and the Dead Sea. Some 800,000 people visited the various sites, according to a Jewish Agency survey, bringing income of 170 million shekels (close to $40 million). The number of hotel nights is still not high in Israel, but in the Negev it ran at a 50% rate - higher than in the rest of the country. The number of Negev tourism workers is 1,100, and it is felt that this number can be doubled in the coming five years.
Arutz-7's Moshe Priel reports that the year 2003 saw a 15% increase in the number of visitors to the tourist sites in the Negev, not including Eilat and the Dead Sea. Some 800,000 people visited the various sites, according to a Jewish Agency survey, bringing income of 170 million shekels (close to $40 million). The number of hotel nights is still not high in Israel, but in the Negev it ran at a 50% rate - higher than in the rest of the country. The number of Negev tourism workers is 1,100, and it is felt that this number can be doubled in the coming five years.