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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, ], ] and ]. Israel and the Palestinian territories has the highest number of museums per capita in the world. The most popular paid ] is ].<ref name="2008Ynet">{{citeweb | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3698864,00.html| title= '''Tourism in Israel''' is one of the country's major sources of income. Israels offer a plethora of historical and religious sites, beach resorts, ], ] and ]. Israel and the Palestinian territories has the highest number of museums per capita in the world. The most popular paid ] is ].<ref name="2008Ynet">{{citeweb | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3698864,00.html| title=
Masada tourists' favorite spot in Israel | publisher=] | accessdate=2009-04-08}}</ref> The largest groups of tourists visit from the ], ], ], the ] and ].<ref></ref> 2.7 million foreign tourists in 2009 visited Israel in 2009.<ref name="2009Travelpulse">{{citeweb | url=http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=65393| title= Masada tourists' favorite spot in Israel | publisher=] | accessdate=2009-04-08}}</ref> The largest groups of tourists visit from the ], ], ], the ] and ].<ref></ref> Over 2.7 million foreign tourists in 2009 visited Israel in 2009.<ref name="2009Travelpulse">{{citeweb | url=http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=65393| title=
Israel Welcomed 2.7 Million Tourists in 2009 | publisher=Travel Pulse | accessdate=2010-04-01}}</ref> Israel Welcomed 2.7 Million Tourists in 2009 | publisher=Travel Pulse | accessdate=2010-04-01}}</ref>


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;]: ;]:
* The capital and largest city of ], it also attracts the most foreign tourists. The holiest city in ], the ancient capital of the ] and then of the ]. The site of the ]. See ]. * The capital and largest city of ], it also attracts the most foreign tourists. The holiest city in ], the ancient capital of the ] and then of the ]. The site of the ]. See ]. ] is recognized by the international community as ] held by Israel in a state of ].<ref name=roberts_occupied>{{Citation|last=Roberts|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Roberts (scholar)|title=Prolonged Military Occupation: The Israeli-Occupied Territories Since 1967|journal=The American Journal of International Law|volume=84|issue=1|year=1990|pages= 44–103|publisher=American Society of International Law|doi=10.2307/2203016|url=http://jstor.org/stable/2203016|page=60|quote=Although East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights have been brought directly under Israeli law, by acts that amount to annexation, both of these areas continue to be viewed by the international community as occupied, and their status as regards the applicability of international rules is in most respects identical to that of the West Bank and Gaza.}}</ref>
* The four quarters of the ]: ], ], ], ]. * The four quarters of the ]: ], ], ], ].
* The site of some of Jesus's teaching and ]; Christians believe he was ] on a nearby hill, ]. * The site of some of Jesus's teaching and ]; Christians believe he was ] on a nearby hill, ].
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* Israel's ] city, and a ], ] and ] ]. The city's ] is the largest with 3 million inhabitants. Tel Aviv exhibits a Unesco world heritage area of Bauhaus architecture. Nearby historical city of ] is experiencing a touristic boom. * Israel's ] city, and a ], ] and ] ]. The city's ] is the largest with 3 million inhabitants. Tel Aviv exhibits a Unesco world heritage area of Bauhaus architecture. Nearby historical city of ] is experiencing a touristic boom.


;] (recognized by the international community as ] held by Israel in a state of military occupation)<ref name=roberts_occupied />
;]
* ] mountain. ]ing and ]ing during the winter (see: ]). * ] mountain. ]ing and ]ing during the winter (see: ]).
* Archaeology in ], ], ], ] * Archaeology in ], ], ], ]
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In 2005, ] 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. In 2005, ] 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. 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""<ref>http://www.tourism.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/DA41633B-99F1-483B-AEC0-674C861DC94F/2815/IntlMarketsandGrowthPotential.ppt#23</ref> 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 ] (located on the ] to the ] desert), different cities (], ]), the mix of European and ] world, etc. The report pointed out thet "All this leads to a very high density of experience". It stated that "the absolutely most attractive feature Israel has for the international markets is its "religious culture and history""<ref>http://www.tourism.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/DA41633B-99F1-483B-AEC0-674C861DC94F/2815/IntlMarketsandGrowthPotential.ppt#23</ref> 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 ] (located on the ] to the ] desert), different cities (], ]), the mix of European and ] world, etc. The report pointed out thet "All this leads to a very high density of experience".
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<ref>{{Cite news <ref>{{Cite news
| last1 = Tal | first1 = Dalia | last1 = Tal | first1 = Dalia
| title = Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem – Most popular tourist site in 2005 | title = Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem - Most popular tourist site in 2005
| newspaper = Globes | newspaper = Globes
| pages = 12 | pages = 12

Revision as of 21:32, 16 June 2010

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 and the Palestinian territories 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 in 2009 visited Israel in 2009.

Historical, religious and cultural sites

Russian Orthodox Church, Jerusalem
Jaffa Gate
The Arab market in the Old City of Jerusalem
Jerusalem
File:Tel Aviv aerial.jpg
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Golan Heights (recognized by the international community as Syrian territory held by Israel in a state of military occupation)
Safed
Acre
Haifa
Tiberias
Nazareth
  • Jesus's hometown and the site of many of his 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
Bethlehem
  • Burial place of the matriarch Rachel and birthplace of King David.
  • Birthplace of Jesus

Note: Bethlehem is in Area 'A' under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Visitors from Israel will pass through a checkpoint and are required to show their passports. Israelis are forbidden entry to Area 'A' without explicit army approval.

Hebron

Note: Most of Hebron is zoned Area 'A' under the control of the Palestinian Authority, except for a small area where Israeli citizens are permitted to live jointly with Palestinians. Visitors from Israel will pass through a checkpoint and may be required to show their passports. Israelis are forbidden entry to Area 'A' without explicit army approval.

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
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.

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
Sea of Galilee

Economic impact

Tourism is a leading industry in Israel. In 2008, it constituted 4.7% of the country's GDP.

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". In the general summary of the report, it is said that "If Jerusalem was not in Israel, it could have been a much more popular destination than Rome or any other destination. That's why the main target of the Israeli Hasbara and advertising, according to Ernst & Young, is to brand Israel as a normative place.

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. Another popular free site not listed in the survey is the Bahai Gardens in Haifa.

Listing Site Visitors
3 Masada 721,915
5 Caesarea 713,648
1 Jerusalem Biblical Zoo 687,647
4 Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan 581,800
2 Hamat Gader 500,000
6 Coral World Underwater Observatory in Eilat 458,000
7 Banias 430,531
8 Yamit 2000 in Holon 412,533
9 Luna Park in Tel Aviv 400,000
10 Qumran 389,291

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

Listing Site Visitors
1 Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
2 Hamat Gader 550 000
3 Masada 495 000
4 Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan
5 Caesarea 440 000
6 Coral World Underwater Observatory in Eilat 416 000
7 Mini Israel 408 000
8 Balagan Yagur near Yagur
9 Mount Hermon 350,000
10 Luna Gal on shores of Sea of Gallilee

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Masada tourists' favorite spot in Israel". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  2. Tourism statistics
  3. "Israel Welcomed 2.7 Million Tourists in 2009". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  4. ^ Roberts, Adam (1990), "Prolonged Military Occupation: The Israeli-Occupied Territories Since 1967", The American Journal of International Law, 84 (1), American Society of International Law: 60, doi:10.2307/2203016, Although East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights have been brought directly under Israeli law, by acts that amount to annexation, both of these areas continue to be viewed by the international community as occupied, and their status as regards the applicability of international rules is in most respects identical to that of the West Bank and Gaza. {{citation}}: More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help)
  5. "20,000 Tourism Workers May Lose Jobs". Ynetnews. December 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  6. http://www.tourism.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/DA41633B-99F1-483B-AEC0-674C861DC94F/2815/IntlMarketsandGrowthPotential.ppt#23
  7. "For first time, religious sites to get state budget of NIS 6.3M". HaAretz. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  8. Tal, Dalia (2006-03-08). "Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem - Most popular tourist site in 2005". Globes. p. 12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: postscript (link)

External links

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