Tourism increased 28% in 2005

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Ministry of Tourism reported that almost two million tourists came to Israel in 2005, a 28% increase over 2004. The Ministry added that the increase in tourism led to the creation of 16,000 jobs and $800 million in revenue. Minister of Tourism Abraham Hirshzon noted that the Ministry hopes to attract three million tourists per year by 2007. In 2005 3.7 million Israelis - nearly half the population - left the country, a two percent increase over 2004. There was a slight decrease in the number of people who left for the Sinai owing to recent bombings there and warnings from security organizations. For the full story click here.