THE RECOVERY TREND CONTINUES: 27% INCREASE IN INCOMING TOURISM IN JANUARY
2017 ON JANUARY 2016
Increase of more than 300% on tourism from China
Increase of about 100% on tourism from Poland

Tourism Ministry Jerusalem, February 9, 2017 - Against the background of the
publication of January 2017 incoming tourism statistics, which show an
increase of 27% on January 2016 and a record number of 210,000 tourists, the
International Mediterranean Tourism Market IMTM closed in Tel Aviv.

The Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said that: “For the last few consecutive
months, we have witnessed record figures in incoming tourism to Israel. This
is no coincidence – but rather policy. The marketing activities and the
steps that we are taking to brand Israel in the campaign Two Cities One
Break are proving themselves time after time. The dramatic increase teaches
us that Israel is seen as an attractive and varied tourism destination. I am
convinced that if we continue this path we will see additional significant
increases in the future.”

210,000 tourist entries were recorded in January 2017, as opposed to 165,000
in January 2016, an increase of 27% and 25% more than January 2015. 188,200
tourists arrived by air, 23% more than January 2016 and 27% more than
January 2015. About 22,000 tourists entered through the land borders, 76%
more than in January 2016. There were about 12,000 day visitors, a 23%
increase on January 2016.

In this year’s IMTM, the presence of Turkey was particularly noted, after
several years’ hiatus in attendance. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin met with
his counterpart the Turkish Tourism Minister Navi Avci and they held a joint
press conference. Minister Levin also met with other tourism ministers and
leading figures in the global tourism industry who came from overseas to
participate in IMTM.

The Tourism Ministry arranged several activities to encourage incoming and
domestic tourism, including, among others:

The TEDxTelAvivSalon, the first of its kind relating to tourism issues. Four
lecturers opened a door to the world of tourism. Omer Bogger, CEO of Eatwith
Noam Klinger, Tzippora Nussbaum and Dr. Eran Ketter.

In the second Tourism Ministry hackathon, a competition to develop tourism
apps using data provided by the ministry, the app Livetrip, which offers
tourists the possibility to locate attractions, restaurants etc on a map and
watch short videos, won first prize of NIS 10,000. In second place and for a
NIS 5,000 prize, Triplan, which for the first time, allows tourists to
connect directly with licensed tour guides. Third place and a NIS 2,500
prize went to Mebo-Israbot, a smart personal assistant that can speak and
help the tourist with everything related to their visit in Israel.

A panel via Skype took place with the directors of the Israel Government
Tourist Offices in Germany, India and China covering the marketing
activities in those destinations.

The Tourism Ministry also held a conference to mark seven years of activity
developing rural tourism in the Druze and Circassian communities. In recent
years, the ministry has invested tens of millions of shekels in improving
tourism infrastructure and establishing tourism incubators to help small
tourism-related businesses in these villages. The conference included
encounters with some of the people behind the success stories in the Druze
and Circassian tourism enterprise, as well as tastes of ethnic cuisine and
folklore.

In addition, IMTM presented social tourism initiatives of women working from
their homes in the Jerusalem area and beyond.