Despite the ever-present security tensions in Israel and the worldwide financial difficulties, the Tourism Ministry reports record numbers of visitors to Israel for the first half of 2012.

According to a ministry statement released on Monday, 1.7 million visitors arrived in Israel between January and June 2012, representing an increase of 6% over the same period the year before. June was also a record-breaking month, during which 285,000 visitors entered the country, up 9% from June 2011.

“Despite the economic recession, the complicated and ongoing geopolitical situation and the high expense of the Israel vacation package, we are registering impressive achievements in incoming tourism,” said Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov.

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Misezhnikov added that the ministry would shortly release and begin implementing the findings of a commission headed by ministry director general Noaz Bar Nir aimed at significantly reducing the cost of a vacation in Israel, and that the lower costs would open the door to many more people.