Led by Americans, Israel maintains strong tourist market
Israel in 2009 had its second-best year for tourism, officials say, with 2.7 million tourists or just 11 percent less than the record set in 2008.
Said Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commission for North and South America:
“We’re thrilled with this result because while tourism to many countries dropped catastrophically in 2009, it underscores Israel’s extraordinary viability as a tourist destination despite the worst recession in 70 years.”
The United States is the largest single source of tourism to Israel, accounting for 21 percent of arriving travelers.
The 60-year-old country’s tourism research shows that almost half of the visitors are there for the first time; almost one third were there on a pilgrimage; and 61 percent described themselves as tourists while the rest were either visiting friends or business travelers.
The poll showed Jerusalem was the most visited city followed by Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea.
Five airlines (El Al, Continental, Delta, US Airways, Air Canada) operate direct service from North America to Israel, with as many as ten nonstop flights a day.
By David Wilkening
David
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