Some 1.6 million people visited Israel between January and July, according to figures released by the Tourism Ministry on Monday – an increase of 39 percent over the same period in 2009, and 10% more than in 2008, the country’s previous record year.

Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov said, “The increase in incoming tourism... is the result of massive investment in marketing activities around the world with significant budgets, especially against the background of the public diplomacy challenges that Israel is facing."

As Cape Town and South Africa are playing an increasingly bigger role in hosting major events, it is important to assess the socio-economic impact of these mega-sporting events.

China’s tourism to Taiwan, once banned, is now growing fast as bilateral ties improve. But with the influx of visitors comes a culture clash.

With tourism revenues hit by the economic crisis and the disruption to air travel caused by the Icelandic ash cloud, the EU will on Wednesday propose more than a dozen initiatives to encourage member states to work together rather than just promoting their own tourist haunts.

Can breakdancing bring more tourists to South Korea? The Korea Tourism Organization seems to think so. And to prove its faith, it will be holding the annual R-16 KOREA 2010 event this weekend, which will this year, according to the Korea Herald, bring together ‘emerging DJs and hip-hop artists from 16 countries’ at the Olympic Park in Jamsil, Seoul.

How does one bring in the right type of tourist? A crucial step would be to come up with promotional campaigns bearing the correct branding...Branding is important to position the tourist destination concerned on the top of the lists of would-be tourists while also ensuring it attracts only tourists who can appreciate what that country offers.

International airlines are once again landing in Iraq, the conflict-wracked home to some of the ancient wonders of the world. Specialist tour operators are now stepping into the tourism void, catering to the smattering of tourists with an approach more Indiana Jones than package tour.