As the Jewish new year approaches, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin says there is good news to report, with tourist entries having increased by 16.5 percent since the beginning of this calendar year, injecting some $3.9 billion into Israel’s economy.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 278,800 tourist entries were recorded in August 2018, about 10 percent more than August 2017. In the period January – August 2018, about 2.6 million tourist entries were recorded, a 16.5 percent increase over the same period last year. Revenue from tourism in August reached about $414 million, and from the period January – August 2018, $3.9 billion.
“Month after month we are witnessing new achievements and record highs in incoming tourism,” Levin says. “This is proof of the success of the innovative, marketing activities that we are implementing, together with the incentives for airlines and investments in infrastructure.
“The tourism industry continues to be a significant factor in making exceptional impact and contributions to the Israeli economy and workforce. I believe and hope that the new year will be a prosperous one for the tourism industry,” he said.
“Happy New Year!”