Israel suffered an 8 percent decline in tourism during the first six months of this year, compared to 1987.
About 669,000 tourists arrived from January through June 1988, according to figures released Thursday by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
A breakdown of tourists showed that 507,500 arrived by air during the first six months, down 10 percent from the corresponding period in 1987.
Overland arrivals amounted to 98,500, including 34,100 tourists from Egypt, a 3 percent increase. Arrivals by sea fell to 7,500 in 1988, compared to 9,100 in the first six months of 1987.
About 48,400 cruise passengers visited Israel between January and June, down 22 percent from the comparable period in 1987. This indicates fewer cruise operators are stopping at Israeli ports.
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