Tourism to Israel continues to break records

The United States provided the largest single number of overnight tourists in July
 
Data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) show that incoming tourism to Israel continues to break records this summer. In July, 296,000 visitors arrived, 8% more than the corresponding month last year.
 
Since the beginning of the year, 2 million tourists have come to the country, 7% more incoming tourism than the same period last year and 5% more than in 2010.
 
According to data published by the CBS the 296,000 visitors arrived in Israel during July 2012, sets a new record for the month of July and an increase of 8% on July 2011 (274,000 visitors); and an increase of 6% on July 2010.
 
241,000 of these entries were tourists, an increase of 2% on July 2011 and 1% on July 2010. The average tourist spends US$1,320 during his stay in Israel. The United States provided the largest single number of overnight tourists in July, 69,000, which was 9% more than came in July of last year.
 
In second place was Russia, which provided about 30,000 visitors, 3% more than last year.
 
British tourists were next in number, at about 14,000, up by 5%. 55,000 entries were day visitors, 47% more than July 2011. A significant increase in cruise visitors was registered in July 2012 – 16,000 or 2.5 times more than in July 2011. The day visitor spends, on average, $160 during his time in the country.
 
The other entries were via the land crossings – 23,000, 6% more than in July 2011 and by plane – 16,000 entries and a 74% increase on the same period last year.