1. Development of the Tourism
Industry in Jerusalem
The Challenge Jerusalem has the potential to be a major player in the world of tourism. In 2013, it hosted over
2.3 million visitors and registered 9 million overnight stays in hotels. Those figures could be
significantly increased – indeed, tourism can, and should, constitute a major growth engine
for Jerusalem. The challenge therefore is to realize that potential, with a target goal of 5 million
tourists annually by the end of the present decade.
The Project Plan The project will entail:
An annual report outlining and evaluating features of the tourism industry »» in Jerusalem
»»An examination of tourism-related infrastructures in the city: the planning and construction
of hotels and other accommodations; services; accessibility to sites; the overall experience
of tourists; and more. Suggestions for improvement and policy recommendations will be
included here.
»» Surveys and questionnaires distributed to tourists and tourism professionals will enable
input “from the field” in order to assess the current situation and propose improvements
and development
»»New markets and new modes of marketing tourism in Jerusalem will also be identified.
Anticipated Products An annual report, titled “Tourism in Jerusalem,” will outline the major aspects of this industry
in the city and include policy recommendations for its further advancement, development, and
management.
Anticipated Impact »»Accelerated development of accommodations and infrastructure in the city
»» Improvements to major tourist sites, including accessibility
»» Improvements to the overall tourism experience
»»An increase in the number of tourists to Jerusalem
Lead Researchers Israel Kimhi, Lior Regev, Omer Yaniv
Cost Tourism in Jerusalem report: $80,000
The Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (founded in 1978) is an independent,
non-profit think tank, which has been engaged in the study of Jerusalem since its
inception. JIIS research covers a vast range of areas of life in Jerusalem: population,
economy, education, culture, tourism, environment, and more. Key to our success is
our closely guarded integrity, independence, and quality.