Israel has experienced a significant increase in tourism in recent months since suffering a slow-down in 2014 following Operation Protective Edge last summer. Data shows that the industry is recovering and almost back to the high rate of tourism experienced during 2013.
Data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics show an increase in tourist entries for August 2015 compared to August 2014, following the significant drop in tourism as a result of Operation Protective Edge that began in July 2014. 223,000 tourists came by air in August 2015, 44% more than in August 2014 and the same as August 2013.
20,000 tourist entries were registered through the border crossings, with
16,000 coming through the border with Jordan and 4,000 from Egypt - 19% more
than August 2014 and 30% less than August 2013. There was an increase of 75%
in day visitors (31,000 as opposed to 18,000 in August 2014).
CBS's Incoming tourism statistics for the period January-August 2015 show recovery
in the incoming tourism, which was significantly affected by Operation Protective Edge that began in July 2014. During this period, 1.79 million tourist entries were by air, only 4% less than the same period in 2014 (1.76 million) and only 2% less than the same period in 2013. 197,000 day visitors entered Israel, 12% less than the same period in 2014 and 51% less than in 2013.
