Tourism Ministry Spokesman's Office

Reference No: 2004-0005-304

March 18, 2004

Press Release

Tourism returns to Israel: In February 2004, 89,100 tourists arrived in
Israel - 61% more than in February 2003, and 39% more than in February
2002 - according to figures released by the Israel Central Bureau of
Statistics and the Israel Tourism Ministry.

Tourism Minister Benny Elon: "Tourism is the number one generator of growth
in the Israeli economy."

The upswing in tourism traffic to Israel continues: During February 2004,
89,100 tourists arrived in Israel - an increase of 61% over February 2003
and of 39% over February 2002. These figures were released by Israel's
Central Bureau of Statistics and by the Israel Tourism Ministry's Department
of Statistics and Databases.

The figures also show that 183,100 tourists entered Israel during the first
two months of 2004 - 44% more than in January through February 2003 and 36%
more than in January and February 2002. According to the figures, 160,300
tourists arrived by air - again, 44% more than in January through February
2003. During February 2004, 73,700 tourists came to Israel by air - 62% more
than in February 2003 and 40% more than in February 2002. Another 9,200
tourist entrances were by land, and of these, some were returning tourists
who had left Israel to visit neighboring countries. Out of all the arrivals
by land, 4,600 tourists entered Israel via the Jordanian border station,
while another 4,600 entered Israel via the Eilat border station.

Israel Tourism Minister Benny Elon, encouraged by the figures indicating the
continuation of the upward trend in tourism to Israel, said: "Tourism is the
number one generator of growth in the Israeli economy. Every million
tourists bring NIS 9 billion into the country, and create 45,000 jobs. In
effect, every dollar that the state invests in tourism yields $45 in income.