Israel Boasts 3.54 Million Visitors, A Record For Tourism

 

UZI LANDAU, ISRAEL MINISTER OF TOURISM

By Darlene Donloe

This week, Israel’s Tourism Commissioner Haim Gutin, North & South America and Uzi Landau, Israel’s Minister of Tourism, were in Los Angeles to promote a tourism film on the Holy Land called, Israel: The Royal Tour and to announce that their country recently set an all-time record for tourism to Israel.

Gutin revealed that in 2013, Israel, which celebrated its 65 Years of Independence, had 3.54 million visitors from around the world. The U.S. is the number one source of tourism to Israel (20% of tourists to Israel come from North America) followed by Russia, France, Germany and the U.K.   About 700,000 North American visitors were from the United States. Neither Gutin nor Landau was sure what percentage of that number were African Americans.

Landau called the U.S., “the most important source of visitors who come to visit.” He added it was because of “the freedom of religion and speech that is shared by Israel and the U.S.”

The tourism industry contributed about $11.4 billion into the Israeli economy last year, according to the Tourism Ministry.

“Some of the visitors came for mystical reasons, some for religious reason and some just to find inner truth,” said Landau.

As well as the country is doing with tourism and even though they hit a record last year, both Gutin and Landau, who was appointed Israel Minister of Tourism in March 2013, insists their country has higher goals.

Both Gutin and Landau said the plan is to increase the number of visitors to Israel by 200,000 this year and to increase the volume of visitors to one million in 2017.

“Part of our goal is to reach the evangelical market and tour operators,” said Gutin.

Landau admitted that the number of visitors could be hampered by the long flights and the cost.

“We understand that both of those could be reasons for people not to travel to Israel,” said Landau.

Landau said he is working vigorously to try to get more flights into Israel, which would automatically “bring prices down.”

HAIM GUTIN, ISRAEL TOURISM COMMISSIONER, NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA

In 2013, the Ministry of Tourism undertook a multimillion dollar advertising campaign based upon the concept that Israel is ‘Beyond Belief.’  

Print ads appeared in leading travel publications and newspapers in the New York Tri-State area.  There was also a web-based destination campaign that appeared on travelzoo.com.

In spite of the pronouncements that Israel is unsafe and in fact, that the country is dangerous, the campaign paid off.

Landau admitted that one of the obstacles for visitors traveling to Israel was security.

“There is much security on people who come to Israel and those who leave,” said Landau.  “We are concerned about the people who come in and the people who leave.”

Landau added that security in Israel is no different than in any other country. The prevailing concern, he says, is “safety”.

“Despite regional turmoil and the ongoing worldwide economic crisis, travelers remained steadfast in their commitment to travel to Israel,” said Gutin. “It confirms what the Ministry has always believed – that visiting Israel is seen by many as a ‘must.’  And there is a growing number of North Americans eager to explore our historic and holy sites, our resorts, our burgeoning culinary scene and our breathtaking natural landscapes.”

Gutin added that is was an “unheard of phenomenon” that any country’s largest and highest-spending source of tourism comes from 6,000+ miles away.

“Which underscores the importance of the work we do in North America,” he said.

The month of December 2013 also set a new record high, with the arrival of 24% more tourists (visitors who stayed more than one night) than in 2012. Cruise travel to Israel also increased in 2013 with the arrival of a record 257,000 cruise visitors.

In 2013, the sources of tourism included religious tourism and pilgrimage, vacation travel, culinary, spa and adventure tourism, Jerusalem (with its mix of historic and holy sites) and Tel Aviv (considered one of the world’s ‘hottest’ destinations).

Gutin said he hopes to welcome “repeat visitors along with a new wave of Christian travelers to the Holy Land this year to experience first hand where the Scriptures come to life.”

According to Gutin, 2014 is already off to a great start. The country will host the Pope, major new hotels are opening and international superstars are expected to perform.

Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu visited Los Angeles this week for the premiere of Israel: The Royal Tour.

He attended the premiere of the one-hour public television special at Paramount Studios.

QUICK FACTS:

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Avis is the best hub to enter the country.  There are nonstop flights from New York (JFK) and Newark (EWR). 

Major airlines that fly to Israel from the U.S. are Delta Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines and El Al Israel Airlines.

The climate is the summer (April-October) is warm and dry, while winters (November-March) are mild with drier, cooler temperatures.

The New Israeli Shekel (NIS) or shekel is the currency. It is recommended for U.S. visitors to carry a small amount of U.S. dollars since certain tourist sites accept is as legal tender.

The electricity is 220 volts 50 HZ.

Languages spoken include Hebrew, Arabic and English.

The holy day of Shabbat starts on Friday afternoon and ends on Saturday evening. During Shabbat all public offices are closed, as well as most private businesses, public transportation and restaurants. In Tel Aviv and other secular areas of Israel, many restaurants and cafes remain open.

Photos by Darlene Donloe