Indians Rank Second Amongst Visitors To Israel From Asia
By Reema Sisodia /Tel Aviv

Though India is one of the most popular international destinations amongst Israeli travellers resulting in an upward trend in tourism from Israel to India, less is known about the fact that Indians are among Asia’s most prolific visitors to Israel.

According to Ranjan Mathai, ambassador of India to Israel, “India ranks second amongst the Asian countries in regards to inbound tourism in Israel. Pilgrim travel has been one of the major reasons for this boost. A number of business and trade promotion activities in the form of trade fairs and seminars have taken place, which has given further impetus to travel.”

As per the data received from the Israeli ministry of Tourism, it indicates that Israel is regarded to be a growing destination for Indian tourists. In 2000, approximately 17,000 Indian tourists visited Israel, a 15 percent increase over the previous year of 14,800 tourists. In the year 1999, the figures represented an increase of 37 per cent over the year 1998, when 10,200 Indian tourists visited Israel.

As for Israeli tourists visiting India, the annual increase is in the area of 10-11 per cent. Israeli tourist arrivals in India in 2000, is estimated at over 25,000 as compared to about 23,000 in 1999, with almost 19,000 obtaining visas from the embassy in Tel Aviv. Mathai further mentioned that, “The highest number of tourists visiting India from the region of West Asia, happens to be from Israel.”