In 2017 Israel has hosted a record 3.6 million foreign tourists

“In 2017 Israel hosted a record 3.6 million foreign visitors, while Russia is on the second line among the countries from which tourists came”, - reported Izrael National News. According to the Minister of Tourism of Israel Yariv Levina, the number of tourists who visited the country in 2017 increased by 25% or 700 thousand people, which is a new record for incoming tourism. The industry's contribution to the economy amounted 20 billion shekels ($ 5.768 billion). Most travelers (700 thousand) came to Israel from the United States, 21% more than a year earlier. From Russia, which is on the second line, 307 thousand guests arrived in the country. Growth of 26% is connected with an increase of the number of flights to Israel. The third place was taken by France, from which 284 thousand tourists came, 8% more than in 2016. The publication notes that 59% of tourists, who visited Israel this year, came for the first time, 25% - were pilgrimage, 23% - came for active recreation, 10% - for entertainment, 24% came to visit relatives and friends and 11% for work.