Tourism Reaches Historic High in Israel for 2018, Bringing in More than 4 Million People
JERUSALEM – More than 4 million tourists visited Israel in 2018, a 14 percent increase from 2017 and a 42 percent increase from 2016.
“In 2018, we have reached an amazing and historic record with over 4.12 million tourists arriving in Israel" Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said in a statement Sunday. "We have broken incoming tourism records and this achievement is the direct result of intensive work that we are doing at the Tourism Ministry. This achievement is a result of a revolutionary change in marketing strategy; infrastructure development; opening direct routes from new destinations and creating collaborations with some of the largest travel agents in the world.”
Tourism plays a major role in sustaining and growing Israel’s economy. The total revenue from tourism for 2018 is approximately NIS 22 billion (about $5.8 billion).
The Tourism Ministry would like to see that number increase and Director General Amir Halevi has big hopes for 2019.
"We are optimistic about 2019 that begins with the opening of the new international airport at Timna, that will enable us to continue bringing new flights to Eilat. What was considered a fantasy a few years ago is today a reality: Israel is a preferred tourist destination among tourism destinations around the world,” said Halevi.