Jerusalem, 11 June 2012

ANOTHER INCOMING TOURISM RECORD HIGH

1.4 MILLION VISITORS ARRIVED IN ISRAEL, JAN-MAY 2012, 4% HIGHER THAN
PREVIOUS RECORD SET IN 2010.

ANOTHER RECORD: INCOMING TOURISM IN MAY

Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: "The consistent increase in incoming
tourism and the new record highs prove that the investment in the industry
contributes to increased income for the economy and creates tens of
thousands of new jobs. Against the background of the ongoing global economic
crisis, the importance of investment in engines for growth becomes sharper
and tourism is a central player in maintaining the robust Israeli economy."

Based on the Central Bureau of Statistics data released today, 1.4 million
visitors arrived in the months January – May 2012, 6% more than the same
period in 2011 and 4% more than 2010, which was a record year. Of these, 1.2
million were tourists, 3% more than the same period last year.

In May 2012, another record was set with incoming tourism (visitors and
tourists). About 321,000 visitors arrived in Israel, 4% more than the
monthly record of 308,000 reached in the months of May 2010 and 2011. Among
tourists (those spending more than one night in Israel), about 269,000
arrived in May 2012, 1% more than the previous record set in May 2011.

There was an increase in those arriving by air with 1 million entries during
Jan-May 2012 (2% more than the same period last year) and about 182,400
tourists crossed into Israel by land, 10% more than the same period last
year.

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Lydia Weitzman
Foreign Press Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism
052-3584395
israeltourismministry@gmail.com