Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov announced  record-breaking numbers of incoming tourists in January, some 212,000, issued by the Central Statistics Bureau on Tuesday.
This marks an increase of 62 percent over last year and 17% from 2008. explained Mr. Meseznikov in his opening address to an audience of tourism professionals from around the world at the opening of the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) in Tel Aviv.

“Record January numbers of incoming tourists reflects trust in Israel’s tourism industry and the beginning of the actualization of the ministry’s goal of bringing in a million additional tourists within three years,” said Meseznikov. “We hold a treasure in our hands and must make use of it.”
“We are seeing a general upward trend over the last three or four months and it is an indication that things are heading in the right direction,” said ministry director-general Noaz Bar-Nir. “It’s a reflection of the amount of money and effort that went into targeted marketing and other actions the ministry has taken over the past few years.”

Former IAF commander and new El AL CEO Eliezer Shkedi said that tourism is an important industry, a vital element of the economy and a window through which the world can view Israel’s culture and heritage.

The IMTM, Israel’s biggest tourism event, is held every February at the Israel Trade Fairs & Convention Center. This is the event’s 16th year, with the fair growing each year in size and scope.

“This year we are featuring representatives from six new countries, including Japan and Montenegro, which are exhibiting here for the first time,” said Lior Gelfand, director of ORTRA, the conference’s organizer.

“What’s special about this year is the exciting atmosphere. There’s a real buzz that you can feel in the air and after last year when so much was uncertain because of the war and the global economic crisis, it’s really refreshing.”

This year’s exhibition featured more than 150 companies and organizations from 33 countries. From ecological tours on Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu to Kabbala tours in Safed, the exhibition showed off Israel’s varied tourism destinations.

Nearly every geographic region of the country was represented by its local tourism board, advertising a wide range of attractions, accommodations and tour packages.

In the morning the exhibition was for industry professionals only, but in the afternoon the doors opened to the general public. On Wednesday it will be open to the public all day long, offering visitors a wide variety of travel options, both domestic and international.

Among the attractions is a photo exhibit of Thailand, wine, beer and olive oil tastings from boutique local manufacturers, traditional Druse coffee and Moroccan tea, a double-decker bus brought in from Jerusalem, Segway test-drives and a 3D movie about Jerusalem.

(jpost)