With record numbers of tourists flocking to Israel, it’s interesting to see exactly what influences their visit in the recently published Inbound Tourism Survey. It seems that family and friends are the overwhelming reasons for a visit – and that the average tourist spends some $1497 in the Holy Land!
Some 25,000 families were asked to take part in the survey (some 42,000 people in total), which revealed some interesting facts:
- The average length of stay in Israel is 8.2 nights.
- Most tourists (71%) stay in hotels or resorts.
- 61% of tourists visiting Israel in 2011 were visiting for the first time; 39% were returning (mainly Jewish, and mainly for family reasons).
- Most tourists are aged 25-44 (41%). 22% are aged over 55 (mainly pilgrims).
- Over half the tourists (58%) were Christian (mostly Catholic); only 25% were Jewish, and 1% Moslem.
- 68% of those visiting Israel were of average incomes; only 1% reported that they were below average income.
- The average tourist (staying up to 30 days) spends $1497. One day visitors spend $142, and tourists arriving on a cruise ship, $230.
- The average expenditure for a tourist on an organized tour is $1,725; for a tourist on a package deal $1,539 and for a tourist traveling independently $1,257.
- 49% indicated the most influential factor for visiting Israel was family and friends.
- 27% of tourists attributed their main source of information on Israel to the Internet; 39% said the travel agent was their source.
- The number of tourists specifically coming to see the amazing sites Israel has to offer went up 10% on the previous year.
Whatever the reasons, we hope that many of you are accessing igoogledisrael.com for your information, because we have a lot of good stuff that is going to make your visit so much easier and enjoyable!
Come on over, the water’s lush!