Out of 864,814 foreign tourists to visit, 134,200 French visitors arrived in the first half of 2005 - a 28 per cent increase over the same period last year. In the month of June alone, 17,862 French tourists visited, a 39 percent increase over June 2004.
There has also been a significant rise in tourism from the United States, Britain and Russia. The number of American tourists leaped 24 percent to 221,768, with a 26 percent increase of 51,491 tourists arriving during the month of June. British tourists increased by six percent to number 72,628 in the first six months. 29,516 Russian tourists, an increase of 18 percent visited during that period as well.
Tourism from Germany, Korea, Brazil, Poland and Scandinavia increased significantly, as well.
Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson attributed the rise in tourism to the privatization of El Al airlines and the easing of restrictions limiting the number of flights to and from the Jewish State. "An open skies policy will enable us to increase tourism from France and around the world," he said.
In a move that would further increase tourism to Israel, China is considering declaring Israel to be a preferred tourist destination. That would enable Israel to provide visas to Chinese groups and organize tourism from China to Israel. Currently, only business people with invitations can receive visas to visit Israel due to concern that they will remain in Israel to work illegally.