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Source: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/9776450.htm
American Tourists Fueling Turnaround in Israel Travel
(Philadelphia Inquirer) Michael Matza - Slowly, surely, the tourism business so vital to Israel's economy is coming back after a four-year slump. American tourists are fueling a turnaround projected to raise hotel occupancy rates by 6 to 7% this year. "There has been a general relaxation of the fear factor," as security inside Israel has improved and the traveling public has adjusted to what everyone here calls "the situation," said Laura Nelson, a veteran tour guide. Israeli officials say the number of visitors to Israel increased by 58%, to 821,800 between January and July, compared with the same period last year. At 207,959, Americans made up a quarter of the visitor population, followed by French, British, Russian, Canadian, and Italian tourists. The Sukkot holiday, which runs eight days and begins this week, has Jerusalem and Tel Aviv hotels reporting bookings of 75-80%, and 4,000 Christian tourists, double last year's turnout, are expected for the holiday, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Tourism officials predict 1.5 million tourists will visit Israel in 2004.