Tourism Ministry: 2.87 million tourists visited Israel this year

A New reacord for incoming tourism is likely to be reached by year's end. Tourism Ministry estimates a total of 3.3 million tourists to visit israel in 2010
 
Central Bureau of Statistics figures published last week indicate that some 2.87 million tourists visited Israel in the period January-October 2010, more than the total number of tourists who visited Israel in all of 2009.
 
According to Tourism Ministry estimates, a new record for incoming tourism is likely to be reached by year's end, and 2010 is expected to end with about 3.3 million tourists.
 
In October, 404,000 tourists arrived in Israel, an all-time high for this month and an increase of 23% over October 2009 and 34% more than 2008. The numbers represent an increase of 27% over the same period in 2009 and 12% more than 2008, Israel’s record year to date, with 3 million tourists.
 
According to Tourism Ministry estimates, incoming tourism contribution to the Israeli economy, for the period between January and August 2010 stands at about $2.3 billion, 37% more than the income from the same period in 2009.