November saw yet another record month in the stats for incoming tourism to Israel, with 315,000 visitors meaning a small rise (2%) over November 2010’s numbers!
These numbers mean that to date, 2011 has seen some 3.1 million visitors to Israel, which is actually a small decrease on the same period last year (2010 was a record year for tourism to Israel). Of those, some 2.6 million stayed for more than one night. Cruise ship day visitors are up some 40% on last year, and look like being the key to 2011 being a record year…
December numbers are expected to be big, as they always are during the holiday season, with many Christian travelers spending Christmas in Israel. It looks like 2011 could be the best year yet, but it ain’t over til the fat lady sings, so…
The increased November numbers come despite the economic situation in the US and Europe, and prove that marketing campaigns from the Tourism Ministry are paying off. Additional investment in hotels is also being made, with six new hotels in Jerusalem, Haifa, Rosh Pina and the Western Galilee, and extensive renovations in many existing hotels.
The Minister of Tourism had this to say:
Improving the tourists’ experience in Israel is at the top of the Ministry of Tourism’s agenda for the coming year, which will also focus on the giving tourists more for their money. Due to the increase in demand for tourism to Israel expected in the coming years, there is a need for more accommodation options necessary to vary the tourism product, while offering various levels of accommodation suitable for all budgets throughout the country. As a result, we can create more choices and options to bring about the reduction of the total cost of a visit in Israel.