According to figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) some 205,000 visitor entries were recorded in Israel in September 2014, 20% less than September 2013 and lower than all the September statistics in the last six years, from 2008-2013.
Breaking down the figures, the CBS revealed some more interesting statistics: Although the number of entries via air were down by 17% in September, some 158,000 visitors, border crossing entrances actually went up by 4.5% ,at 21,000, on the previous year.
13,000 tourists came through the border crossings with Jordan [Allenby Border Terminal Jordan River Crossing (Sheikh Hussein) Irbid / Beit She'an, Rabin (Wadi Arava) crossing point in Aqaba / Eilat] a 38% decrease, and about 8,000 through Taba border crossing to Eilat (3.5 times more than last September).
The drop in air travel can perhaps be attributed to the lingering concerns over flying specifically in the aftermath of rocket attacks by terrorist groups.
The worst-hit medium of travel was cruise ships - with just 600 people arriving in September, representing a 97% decrease from the September 2013. However, the tourism ministry noted that cruise ship visits were already on the decline even prior to Operation Protective Edge.
