Tourism Ministry Spokesman's Office
Reference No: 2004-0005-920
November 4, 2004
Press Release

French tourism to Israel hits all-time high: In first nine months of 2004,
198,100 French tourists arrived in the country, exceeding previous record
set in 2000 by 12 per cent

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics and Tourism Ministry report that
compared to the first nine months of 2003, arrivals from France have jumped
74 per cent. In comparison to 2002, there has been a 126 per cent increase
and a 90 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2001.

The number of American tourists to Israel during the same period, according
to the report, leaped 52 per cent over 2003 levels to 286,207. European
tourism also grew: 40,185 visitors arrived from Russia (a 39 per cent
increase), 107,675 from Britain (up 57 per cent), 30,649 from Italy (up 76
per cent) and 55,027 from Germany (up 64 per cent)..

September 2004 alone saw 12,430 French tourists come to Israel, a 34 per
cent increase over September 2003. 13,310 British (up 52 per cent) and
31,236 Americans (up 49 per cent) arrived the same month.

Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra says the continued rise in tourism points to
the industry's great potential. Israel, he says, will continue its efforts
overseas to promote itself as a tourist destination.