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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.

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

West Bank Tourism

The tourist industry in the West Bank has been administered by Israel since the beginning of its occupation in 1967. Israel regulates the movement of tourists to the West Bank and their Palestinian guides, but Israeli tour operators mostly control how and where tourists money is spent. Most travelers to sites in the area stay in Jerusalem's hotels. Tour operations have been negatively impacted by travel warnings from the governments of European nations and the United States. 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 tourist authorities have been criticised by the British Advertising Standards Authority for advertising West Bank sites, along with sites in the Golan Heights and Jerusalem (occupied by Israel since 1967), as if they were Israeli destinations.

• Bethlehem - Burial place of the matriarch Rachel and birthplace of King David and of Jesus.
• 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.
• Herodium - A fortress built by Herod the Great that is administered by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
• Solomon's Pools - A prominent site in the al-Khader area.
• Manger Square - A city square in the center of Bethlehem that takes its name from the manger where Jesus was born.
• 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.
• Salesian Cremisan Monastery — A winery as well as a convent in the suburb of Beit Jala.
• Hebron - The second-holiest city in Judaism and the place where the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is located. According to Jewish 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 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 11km 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).

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

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

Gallery

• Jaffa Gate
• The Arab market in the Old City of Jerusalem
• Dead Sea at dusk
• Sinkholes at Mineral Beach
• Dead Sea from Masada

See also

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• 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.
6. Gan HaShlosha (Sahne) at Hagshama
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ 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)
9. UK watchdog bans Israel Western Wall tourism advert (BBC, April 14, 2010)
10. 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)
11. ^ Kohn, Michael (2007). Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1864502770.
12. ^ Fodor's Israel. Random House, Inc. 2009. ISBN 978-1400008988.
13. Hazbun 2008, p. 94
14. ^ MFA, Gulf of Aqaba- Tourism, 30 Sep 1997
15. 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
16. Christian pilgrims boost Israeli tourism Christian pilgrims boost Israeli tourism
17. "20,000 Tourism Workers May Lose Jobs". Ynetnews. December 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
18. http://www.tourism.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/DA41633B-99F1-483B-AEC0-674C861DC94F/2815/IntlMarketsandGrowthPotential.ppt#23
19. "For first time, religious sites to get state budget of NIS 6.3M". HaAretz. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
20. 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)

References

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

External links

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

• Tourism in Israel