Tourism Ministry Spokesman's Office

Reference No: 2005-0005-589
July
19, 2005

Press Release

Nearly one million tourists enter Israel in first six months of 2005; 29 per
cent rise in number of June arrivals

Statistics released today by Israel's Ministry of Tourism and Central Bureau
of Statistics show tourist arrivals to the country jumped 29 per cent in
June to 157,000. In the first six months of the year 864,200 tourists
entered the country, 27 per cent more than in the same period last year. Two
thousand people arrived aboard cruise ships in June 2005 compared to none in
June 2004.

"We are witnessing enormous momentum in tourism," says Israeli Tourism
Minister Avraham Hirchson. "The rise heralds a new era for the Israeli
economy."

Director General Eli Cohen credits the ministry's efforts to bring
additional cruise companies to Israel's shores for the rise in the number of
tourists arriving by sea.

The monthly report shows 159,000 visitors entered Israel in June, a 31 per
cent rise over the same period last year. Out of 864,200 tourists arriving
between January and June, 751,700 came by air (up 25%), with 33,500 flying
directly to the southern resort of Eilat (a 30% rise). 110,700 arrived
overland (up 48%). 3,800 tourists arrived by cruise ship, compared to none
last year.

Israel's Ministry of Tourism anticipates that nearly two million tourists
will visit the country by the end of 2005.