China-Israel journeys up 30 pct in 2013

Chinese tourists going to Israel rose by 30 percent in 2013 and the average daily spending of $286 exceeded travellers from other countries, Israeli tourism minister has told Xinhua.

The rapid development of bilateral commercial, technological, agricultural exchanges helped realize 30,000 journeys from China to Israel last year, said Amir Halevi, director general of Israel's Ministry of Tourism.

"Considering over 100 million overseas journeys are made by Chinese people every year, we see more potential in bilateral tourism exchanges," said the minister, "Now we are preparing to receive more Chinese visitors, providing special tour services and recruiting more Chinese guides."

Israel's goal is to attract 40,000 tourists from China in 2017 and 100,000 in 2020. "We also hope Chinese airlines wil launch direct flights to Israel." Halevi added.