A record 393,000 people visited Israel in October 2013, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Of these visitor entries, 339,000 were tourists (staying more than one night), 14% more than October 2012, 4% more than October 2010 and an all-time record for the month.
"After a period of tension in the region, tourism is back on the rise. The quiet security situation and the marketing efforts are proving themselves. Israel is an amazing tourist product with the potential to be a tourism powerhouse," says Amir Halevi, Tourism Ministry Director-General.
297,000 people came by air, 17% more than in October 2012, of which 10,000 arrived on direct flights to Eilat . 42,000 came through the border crossings, 6% less than October 2012; 36,000 came through the border with Jordan (10% increase) and about 6,100 through the Taba border crossing, in Egypt, to Eilat (50% less than last October).
But October saw a reduction of 76% in the number of day visitors from Sinai into Israel from last year because of the instability in Egypt.
Since the beginning of 2013, more than 3 million visitors arrived in Israel, 1% less than the same period in 2012, 6% more than 2011 and 3% more than 2010.
Of these entries, 2.5 million were tourists, similar to the same period in 2012, 5% more than 2011 and 2010. 2.1 million entries were recorded by air, 1% more than the same period in 2012.
About 498,000 entries were day visitors, 7% less than the same period last year. Of these entries, about 213,000 came on cruise ships, 3% more than in 2012. 163,000 came via the border crossings (33% less than 2012) and 121,000 by air (42% increase).
Tourism Minister Uzi Landau declares : "Tourists continue to vote with their feet. Unlike with many other tourism destinations, tourists come to Israel and find sun for most of the year. This, in addition to the cultural and historic variety on offer. The Tourism Ministry will continue to market Israel overseas with the goal of realizing the potential.”