These figures were released by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics and the Israel Tourism Ministry.
The figures also show that 183,100 tourists entered Israel during the first two months of 2004 – 44% more than in January through February 2003 and 36% more than in January and February 2002.
Israel Tourism Minister Rabbi Benny Elon, encouraged by the figures indicating the continuation of the upward trend in tourism to Israel, said: "Tourism is the number one generator of growth in the Israeli economy. Every million tourists bring NIS 9 billion into the country, and create 45,000 jobs. In effect, every dollar that the state invests in tourism yields $45 in income – and this is the highest and most immediate
Tourism Ministry Spokesman Golan Yosiffon told IsraelNN today that the special tourism week held for tourism agents earlier this month was a great success. "Many new agents came, and this indicates an increase in interest in visiting Israel. We expect to see this result in more tourists." Yosiffon said that his ministry hopes to see 2 million tourists arrive in the country this year. Though not yet back at the peak of 2.7 million tourists in the year 2000, reaching this goal will be a great improvement over the last two years. He noted that based on the most recent figures available, 55% of tourists are Jewish, while the others are primarily Christian.
Tourism Ministry Foreign Press Spokesperson Nitsan Ilan told IsraelNN, "Most of the sites and hotels are feeling a big improvement in the situation. It's getting much better and increasing every month. Places are starting to work again and are feeling the flow of tourists."
The figures also show that 183,100 tourists entered Israel during the first two months of 2004 – 44% more than in January through February 2003 and 36% more than in January and February 2002.
Israel Tourism Minister Rabbi Benny Elon, encouraged by the figures indicating the continuation of the upward trend in tourism to Israel, said: "Tourism is the number one generator of growth in the Israeli economy. Every million tourists bring NIS 9 billion into the country, and create 45,000 jobs. In effect, every dollar that the state invests in tourism yields $45 in income – and this is the highest and most immediate
Tourism Ministry Spokesman Golan Yosiffon told IsraelNN today that the special tourism week held for tourism agents earlier this month was a great success. "Many new agents came, and this indicates an increase in interest in visiting Israel. We expect to see this result in more tourists." Yosiffon said that his ministry hopes to see 2 million tourists arrive in the country this year. Though not yet back at the peak of 2.7 million tourists in the year 2000, reaching this goal will be a great improvement over the last two years. He noted that based on the most recent figures available, 55% of tourists are Jewish, while the others are primarily Christian.
Tourism Ministry Foreign Press Spokesperson Nitsan Ilan told IsraelNN, "Most of the sites and hotels are feeling a big improvement in the situation. It's getting much better and increasing every month. Places are starting to work again and are feeling the flow of tourists."