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Tourism in Israel is one of the country's major sources of income. Israels offer a plethora of historical and religious sites, beach resorts, archaeological tourism, heritage tourism and ecotourism. Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the world. The most popular paid site is Masada. The largest groups of tourists visit from the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. Over 2.7 million foreign tourists visited Israel in 2009. The West Bank and East Jerusalem captured from Jordan in 1967, and the Golan Heights captured from Syria, are also popular travel destinations under Israeli control.

Tourism statistics

Top 10 countries by foreign visitors to Israel (2008)

2008 was the most visited year in Israel with 2.9 million foreign citizens visits, of whom 2.5 million were tourist and 0.4 million were only day visitors. The table below shows the number of top 10 countries by foreign visitors in 2008

Rank	Country	No. of Tourists (thousands)	No. of Day Visitors (thousands)	Total Visitors (thousands)
1	USA	605.2	11.4	616.6
2	Russia	205.6	150.5	356.1
3	France	257.2	6.4	263.6
4	United Kingdom	175.4	11.7	187.1
5	Poland	86.9	68.6	155.5
6	Germany	137.7	4.0	141.7
7	Italy	120.9	4.7	125.6
8	Ukraine	34.3	60.6	94.9
9	Canada	68.9	2.1	71.0
10	Spain	61.2	4.1	65.3

Continents by foreign visitors to Israel (2008)

Rank	Continent	Most of Visitors From	No. of Tourists (thousands)	No. of Day Visitors (thousands)	Total Visitors (thousands)	% of Total Visitors
1	Europe	Russia	1471.5	374.2	1845.7	57.2%
2	North America	USA	696.3	14.2	710.5	27.1%
3	Asia	South Korea	199.3	20.8	220.1	7.7%
4	Latin & South America	Brazil	86.9	2.0	88.9	3.4%
5	Africa	Nigeria	75.6	3.3	78.9	2.9%
6	Oceania	Australia	42.7	1.3	44.0	1.7%

Historical, religious and cultural sites

Jerusalem

• The (proclaimed) capital and largest city under Israeli control, it also attracts the most foreign tourists. The holiest city in Judaism, the ancient capital of the United Monarchy and then of the Kingdom of Judah. The site of the Temples in Jerusalem. See Western Wall.
• City of David, including Hezekiah's Tunnel
• Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum
• The Mount of Olives which includes gethsemane, church of all nations, Russian orthodox church, Mt. of Olives lookout point, Dominus Flevit, the pillar of absalom and a 2000 year old Jewish cemetery.
• The four quarters of the Old City: Jewish Quarter, Christian Quarter, Armenian Quarter, Muslim Quarter
• The site of some of Jesus's teaching and entombment; Christians believe he was crucified on a nearby hill, Golgotha.
• The Islamic structures on the Temple Mount (known in Arabic as the haram ash-sharīf, the Noble Sanctuary) the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque
• List of places in Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

• Israel's second-largest city, and a cosmopolitan, cultural and financial global city. The city's greater area is the largest with 3 million inhabitants. Tel Aviv exhibits a Unesco world heritage area of Bauhaus architecture. Nearby historical city of Jaffa is experiencing a touristic boom.

Safed

• A holy city in Judaism, where much of the Jerusalem Talmud was written and kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) was developed. Famous for its artisans. The grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in nearby Meron.

Acre

• (Bahá'í) Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, resting place of Bahá'u'lláh as well as a Unesco world heritage historical town.

Haifa

• Carmel
• (Bahá'í) Shrine of the Báb, its associated terraces, and the Bahá'í World Centre and the buildings (a Unesco world heritage).

Tiberias

• A holy city in Judaism, on west bank of the freshwater Sea of Gallilee.
• Saint Peter's house at Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.

Nazareth

• Jesus's hometown and the site of many of his reported acts and miracles.
• Starting point for the Jesus Trail, a network of hiking routes connecting many sites from Jesus's life and ministry.

Bet She'an

• A Roman Decapolis city. One of the largest archaeological sites in the Middle East.

Masada

• Masada became famous for its significance in the First Jewish-Roman War (Great Jewish Revolt), when a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site's Jewish defenders when defeat became imminent.

Beersheba

• Its settlement attributed to the patriarch Abraham. Regional capital of the Negev desert. It serves as a starting point for exploring such sites as the Ramon Crater or the Unesco world heritage Nabathean Incense Route (Shivta, Avdat, Mamshit).

Eilat

• The southernmost city in Israel, on the Red Sea coast, it is a hot, sunny year-round travel destination. Popular destination for skin and SCUBA diving, with equipment for hire on or near all major beaches.

Kibbutzim

• A network of once socialist communes which dot the countryside. They are undergoing a process of modernization and re-organization. Well known in Israel for great contributions to Israeli history, politics, army, and Zionism.

Caesarea

• The old city includes Roman and Crusader ruins, such as the amphitheatre (where concerts are frequently held), as well as the harbor from which St. Paul was taken as a prisoner to Rome.
• The grassy golf club and villas are newly developed in this coastal city, which has become increasing popular to tourists.

Ein Gedi

• Desert spring. It is a starting point for tours in Masada as well as the Dead Sea.

Tzippori

• A Roman town exhibiting elaborate mosaics and a historic Synagogue.

Beit Guvrin-Maresha

• A large archaeological complex in the Judean Mountains.

Biblical Tells

• There several Iron Age mounds spread throughout the country. Three of them Tel Be'er Sheva, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo (the site of Armageddon) were recognized as Unesco world heritage sites . They exhibit elaborate water systems that are among the earliest in the world.

National Parks

National Parks in Israel are managed by the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority. The national parks in Israel include:

• Ahziv National Park

• Alexander River National Park

• Ashkelon National Park , located south-west of the city of Ashkelon, which contains archeological remains of the different civilizations whom lived in the area, including Canaanites, the Philistines, Persians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims and Crusaders.

• Avdat National Park, a historic city from the 7th century BCE declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

• Baram National Park

• Beit Alfa Synagogue National Park, an ancient Byzantine-era synagogue located in Heftziba, at the foot of Mount Gilboa in northern Israel. It was constructed in the 6th century CE and is famous for its mosaic floor which was uncovered in 1928.

• Beit Govrin National Park, or Maresha, is an antiquity site in Israel's southern lowlands. Many of the ancient city's olive presses, columbariums and water cisterns can still be seen.

• Beit She'an National Park
• Beit She'arim National Park
• Caesarea National Park
• Castel National Park
• Cochav Hayarden National Park
• Corazim National Park
• Ein Avdat National Park
• Ein Gedi Antiquities National Park
• Ein Hemed National Park
• Eshkol National Park
• Gan Hashlosha National Park Located near Beit She'an, is a pool having naturally warm water. According to Time Magazine, it is one of the world's 20 most beautiful parks.
• Hamat Tiberias National Park
• Harod Spring National Park
• Hermon National Park
• Herodion National Park
• Hula Valley Nature Reserve
• Hurshat Tal National Park
• Kursi National Park
• Mamshit National Park
• Massada National Park
• Mount Carmel National Park
• Nimrod Fortress National Park
• Qumran National Park
• Sharon National Park
• Shivta National Park
• Shomron National Park
• Tel Arad National Park
• Tel Beersheva National Park
• Tel Hazor National Park
• Tel Megiddo National Park
• Yarkon National Park
• Yehiam Fortress National Park, which features the ruins of a castle, atop a prominent hill, that dates from the time of the Crusades at the 12th century.
• Zippori National Park

Nature reserves

The Nature reserves of Israel are protected areas for nature and wildlife. As of 2007 there are 190 nature reserves declared by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Notable nature reserves declared by Israel include:

• Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park, a psammosere ecosystem located close Ashdod and represents the landscape on which most of coastal Israel was constructed following the Establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
• Avshalom (Stalactites) Cave at the Avshalom Nature Reserve, a cave unique for its dense concentration of stalactites.
• Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, where endangered and extinct animals mentioned in the Bible are bred for possible reintroduction to Northern Israel.
• Coral Beach Nature Reserve, an underwater marine reserve of tropical marine flora and fauna.
• Ein Afek Nature Reserve
• Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
• Ein Tzukim Nature Reserve
• Gamla Nature Reserve (In the Golan Heights)
• Hula Valley Nature Reserve, papyrus swampland in northern Israel, with abundant birds and wildlife species.
• Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve
• Nahal Ayoun Nature Reserve
• Neot Kedumim
• Tel Dan Nature Reserve, an archaeological site in the upper Galilee, identified with the Biblical city of Dan, the northernmost city in the ancient Kingdom of Israel.
• Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve
• Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve

Hiking Trails

• Israel National Trail - a hiking path that crosses the entire country of Israel. Its northern end is at Dan, near the Lebanese border in the far north of the country, and it extends to Eilat at the southernmost tip of Israel on the Red Sea, a length of approximately 940 km (580 mi). The trail takes about 30–70 days to finish if hiked continuously.
• Jerusalem Trail - 40 km trail, connects the Israel National Trail with Jerusalem and the area of the old city.
• Jesus Trail - a 138 km hiking and pilgrimage route in the Galilee region of Israel that traces the route Jesus may have walked, connecting many sites from his life and ministry. The trail begins in Nazareth, and passes through Sepphoris, Cana (Kafr Kanna), the Horns of Hattin, Mount Arbel Cliffs, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tiberias, the Jordan River, Mount Tabor, and Mount Precipice.

Museums

With over 200 museums, Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the world, with millions of visitors annually. Notable museums in Israel include:

• Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel's national museum, attracts 800,000 visitors a year.
• Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem
• Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial
• Tel Aviv Museum of Art

West Bank Tourism

West Bank tourism has been administered by Israel since the beginning of its occupation in 1967. The Lonely Planet travel guide recommends that travelers to be aware of any changing events, but that it is well worth going once past the checkpoints.

Israeli tourists have taken advantage of Israel's control of the west bank. Territory that had been off-limits to Israeli citizens since 1948 were now made available to be used for leisure. Israel established numerous amenities in these territories and East Jerusalem to make it more appealing to visitors and Israeli citizens alike.. Despite that, Israeli citizens are generally restricted from traveling to parts of the West Bank under Palestinian authority control (“Area A”), which includes majority of palestinian cities.

• Bethlehem - Burial place of the matriarch Rachel and birthplace of King David and of Jesus.
  • Church of the Nativity - A church built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth that is a popular attraction sacred to both Christians and Muslims.
  • Shepherd's Field - Just outside of Beit Sahour, the field is said to be were Jesus's birth was announced to a group of shepherds.
  • Manger Square - A city square in the center of Bethlehem that takes its name from the manger where Jesus was born.
  • Solomon's Pools - A prominent site in the al-Khader area.
  • Salesian Cremisan Monastery — A winery as well as a convent in the suburb of Beit Jala.
• Herodium - A fortress built by Herod the Great that is administered by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
• Hebron - The second-holiest city in Judaism and the place where the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is located. According to Jewish and Islamic tradition, this is the burial place of the great patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah). The capital of the Kingdom of Israel before David moved it to Jerusalem.

Golan Heights Tourism

For ease of touring, the Golan can be divided into the north with most of its popular destinations and the south where the administrative capital is located. The infrastructure is less developed than that in Israel proper and does not particularly cater independent tourists. Travel guides recommend renting a car in or joining an organized tour. Although it is slower, some travelers chose to hitchhike throughout the region. Accommodations are typically through bed and breakfasts or cabins called zimmers.

The first ski resort in Israeli controlled territory was established in the occupied Golan. Nature trails and other attractions were established by Israel in order to further entrench its presence in the territory and to attract tourists. As much of the Golan's land is not arable, many of the Israeli settlements established focused on tourism as a way generating income.

• The Golan has national parks which provide extensive hiking options. Most of these are maintained by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Land mines from previous wars pose a risk when clearly marked and fenced off areas are disregarded.
• The Mount Hermon ski resort is popular during the winter months. This is the first ski resort in the Israeli annexed Golan.
• The area produces wine and the Golan Heights Winery is a large producer. The winery has a visitor's center and tours.
• Archaeology in Katzrin, Gamla, Nimrod Fortress, Rujm el-Hiri

Seas and lakes

Mediterranean coastal strip

• Sunny beaches and hotel resorts

The Dead Sea

• The lowest point on the Earth's surface and the deepest hypersaline lake in the world, famous for its buoyancy and medicinal qualities

Red Sea

• Sunny beaches and hotel resorts, popular destination for SCUBA diving and water sports

Sea of Galilee

• Sunny beaches and hotel resorts
• Important Christian holy sites such as Mount of Beatitudes

Dive Tourism

Eilat is located in the Gulf of Aquaba, one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. The coral reefs along Eilat's coast remain relatively pristine and the area is recognized as one of the prime diving locations in the world. About 250,000 dives are performed annually in Eilat's 11 km coastline, and diving represents 10% of the tourism income of this area. In addition, given the proximity of many of these reefs to the shore, non-divers can encounter the Red Sea's reefs with relative ease. Water conditions for SCUBA divers are good all year round, with water temperatures around 21-25 C°, with little or no currents and clear waters with an average of 20–30 meters visibility.

Tourist Demographics

According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, 54 percent of the 2.7 million visitors to Israel in 2009 were Christians tourists. Jewish tourists accounted for 39 percent. Revenue from tourism in 2009 totalled $ 3.3 billion. The majority of incoming tourists were from the United States (550,000 ), followed by Russia (400,000); France (260,000); and the United Kingdom (170,000).

Medical Tourism

Israel is emerging as a popular destination for medical tourists. In 2006, 15,000 foreigners travelled to the country for medical procedures, bringing in $40 million of revenue. The advantages of Israel for health tourism include good natural resources; stable, comfortable climate all year round; a progressive medical systems, and scenic locations which have a calming effect on patients.

Medical tourists choose Israel for several reasons. Some come from European nations such as Romania where certain procedures are not available. Others come to Israel, most commonly from the US, because they can receive quality health care at a fraction of the cost it would be at home, for both surgeries and in-vitro fertilization treatments.

Other medical tourists come to Israel to visit the Dead Sea, a world-famous therapeutic resort. The Israel Ministry of Tourism and several professional medical services providers have set out to generate awareness of Israel's medical capabilities.

Economic impact

Tourism is a leading industry in Israel. In 2010, it constituted 6.4% of the country's GDP. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that real GDP growth for tourism in Israel is expected to average 5.0% per annum over the years 2010-2020. The contribution of tourism to Gross Domestic Product is expected by WTTC to rise from 6.4% (US$12.0 billion) in 2010 to 7.2% ($22.1 billion) by 2020.

The contribution of the industry to employment is 223,000 jobs in 2010, 7.9% of total employment. Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 6.5% of total exports (US $4.8 billion) in 2010.

Investment in tourism is estimated at US $2.3 billion or 7.6% of total investment in 2010.

The Israel Travel & Tourism economy is ranked number 51 in absolute size worldwide, of the 181 countries estimated by the WTTC.

The Ernst & Young Report

In 2005, Ernst & Young conducted the deepest research that was ever made on the Israeli tourism. The Ministry of Tourism of Israel ordered the research in order to make a revolution in this market. The official subject was "A New Market Strategy for Israeli Tourism" and the result was publicized in November 2006.

The report noted that in 2005, Israel received a total of 1.9 million international visitors and opined that a realistic target is to double the number of international tourists until 2011, to 4–5 million visitors.

It stated that "the absolutely most attractive feature Israel has for the international markets is its "religious culture and history"" as well as "the great diversity/variety within a very small country". The variety it referred is about the different cultures and religions, the very different landscapes from Mount Hermon (located on the Golan Heights to the Negev desert), different cities (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv), the mix of European and Arabic world, etc. The report pointed out thet "All this leads to a very high density of experience." The report recommends that Israel adopt appropriate marketing strategies to counter any perceived negative imagery associated with political developments.

Most visited sites

The two most visited sites in Israel are the Western Wall and the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The top paid sites of 2008 were listed by Dun & Bradstreet Israel as opposed to the above sites which offer free entry.

The top paid sites of 2005 were listed by Dun & Bradstreet Israel.

Gallery

• Waterfall in Ein Gedi
• The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock
• Dead Sea at dusk
• The Sea of Galilee from Tiberias
• pizani harbour walls in Acre
• Red Sea coral and marine fish in Eilat
• Masada
• Batsheva Dance Company in concert

See also

• List of museums in Israel
• Medical tourism in Israel

Footnotes

1. Interesting Facts about Israel
2. ^ "Masada tourists' favorite spot in Israel". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
3. Tourism statistics
4. "Israel Welcomed 2.7 Million Tourists in 2009". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
5. "Foreign Visits by country" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
7. Gan HaShlosha (Sahne) at Hagshama
8. http://www.parks.org.il/BuildaGate5/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~~~660964978~Card13~&ru=&SiteName=parks&Clt=&Bur=351331723
9. "Science & Technology". Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
10. Hazan, Susan. "The Israel Museum and the Electronic Surrogate". Cultivate Interactive. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
11. ^ Kaufman, David; Katz, Marisa S. (April 16, 2006). "In the West Bank, Politics and Tourism Remain Bound Together Inextricably". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
12. ^ Thomas, Amelia; Kohn, Michael; Raphael, Miriam; Raz, Dan Savery (2010). Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1741044560.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
13. ^ Stein 2008, p. 647
14. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html
15. Jacobs Daniel; Eber, Shirley; Silvani, Francesca (1998). Israel and the Palestinian territories: The Rough Guide. Rough Guide. ISBN 978-1858282480.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. ^ Kohn, Michael (2007). Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1864502770.
17. ^ Hazbun 2008, p. 94
18. Efrat 1988, p. 84
19. ^ Fodor's Israel. Random House, Inc. 2009. ISBN 978-1400008988.
20. ^ MFA, Gulf of Aqaba- Tourism, 30 Sep 1997
21. Artificial Reefs and Dive Tourism in Eilat, Israel Dan Wilhelmsson, Marcus C. Öhman , Henrik Ståhl and Yechiam Shlesinger Ambio, Vol. 27, No. 8, Building Capacity for Coastal Management (Dec., 1998), pp. 764-766 Published by: Allen Press on behalf of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
22. Christian pilgrims boost Israeli tourism Christian pilgrims boost Israeli tourism
23. ^ Welcoming the world's ills, Haaretz, Feb 8, 2008
24. Health tourism in Israel: A developing industry Niv, Amiad (Adi) Tourism Review. Vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 30-32. 1989
25. Medical Tourism Israel
26. ^ World Travel and Tourism Council, KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE, Israel
27. http://www.tourism.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/DA41633B-99F1-483B-AEC0-674C861DC94F/2815/IntlMarketsandGrowthPotential.ppt#23
28. "For first time, religious sites to get state budget of NIS 6.3M". HaAretz. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
29. Tal, Dalia (2006-03-08). "Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem – Most popular tourist site in 2005". Globes. p. 12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

References

• Stein, Rebecca L (2008). "SOUVENIRS OF CONQUEST: ISRAELI OCCUPATIONS AS TOURIST EVENTS". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 40. Cambridge University Press: 647–669. doi:10.1017/S0020743808081531. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Hazbun, Waleed (2008). Beaches, ruins, resorts: the politics of tourism in the Arab world. U of Minnesota Press. ISBN 9780816654925. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Timothy, Dallen J (2001). Tourism and political boundaries. Routledge. ISBN 9780415196963. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Efrat, Elisha (1988). Geography and Politics in Israel Since 1967 (1 ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-0714633039. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

External links

• Ministry of Tourism Template:En icon
• Discover Jerusalem
• Go Israel(Ministry of Tourism)
• Template:Wikitravel

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from July 2010
• Tourism in Israel