Israel loses one-day visitors

Israel Central Statistics Bureau’s data shows that during the period from January to May 2011 the country was visited by 1.2 million foreign tourists, which is 4% more compared to the same period of the previous year. Among them 180 thousand people were coming to the country for just one day – 28% less than in 2010.

The number of one-day visitors from Russia has fallen as well. The total of 178.4 thousand Russian tourists entered Israel from January to May 2011, this is 20% less compared to the same period in 2010. At that, the number of those who stayed for more than one night increased and reached 141.6 thousand people. These figures show that the decrease was caused by the falling number of one-day visitors.

It is quite possible that Israel was hit by the instability within the whole Middle East region. Short sightseeing trips to the Holy Land usually start in neighboring Egypt that lost 65% of its tourist flow from Russia in the first quarter of this year. Apparently the land of pyramids is the one to blame in the Israel’s loss.

However Israel is not going to give up. According to the country’s Tourism Minister Mr. Stas Misezhnikov the investments in summer advertising campaign will amount to around 60 million shekels ($17,6 million). Besides the ministry will introduce some unique projects, for example it will support the candidature of the Dead Sea in the final of “Seven New Nature Wonders” competition and will be working on a long-term plan of positioning Eilat on the travel market and many more.