February sees incoming tourism record
Tourism Ministry announces that according to CBS data 222,000 tourists visited Israel in February – a 46% rise compared with February 2009. Tourism minister warns of hotel room shortage in future in light of growth
A record rate of incoming tourism was noted this February with 222,000 travelers visiting Israel. The Tourism Ministry said Tuesday that according to Central Bureau of Statistics data there has been a 46% rise in tourism compared with February 2009 (which had been affected by Operation Cast Lead and the economic crisis) and a 12% increase compared with February 2008.
Some 178,000 of visitors were tourists who stayed at least one night – a 28% rise compared with 2009. However, 44,000 of travelers arrived for day visits – three times more than the same month last year.
It should be noted that 13,200 tourists visited Israel as part of cruise packages, which did not include Israel in February 2008-2009.
The Tourism Ministry also stated that it is currently gearing up to welcome dozens of tourists and travelers slated to visit the Holy Land during Passover and Easter. As part of preparations, the ministry's control unit will conduct quality control tests for tourist services and accommodations.
The ministry will be checking maintenance level, handicapped access, signage and cleanliness, mainly in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tiberias, Haifa, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and Eilat.
Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov warned of the expected shortage in hotel rooms and accommodations in the coming years in the face of ongoing growth in incoming tourism.
"The incoming tourism data of the last months are encouraging and prove that the Tourism Ministry's marketing tactics are bearing fruit," he said.
"Nevertheless, I call on entrepreneurs and hotel owners to employ the Tourism Ministry's support mechanisms in order to build new hotels and re-launch hotels which are no longer operational. A lack of hotel rooms in the future will hurt the ability to welcome tourists in Israel and will cause a loss of millions to the state."
