JERUSALEM — Israel’s Tourism Ministry has budgeted nearly $4 million to develop tourism in Jerusalem next year.

The 2010 funding is earmarked to develop tourism infrastructure in the city and to promote tourism events both domestically and abroad, according to the Tourism Ministry.

In recent years, the ministry has invested millions of dollars in developing and improving the tourism infrastructure in Jerusalem, including the centre of the city, Ein Kerem and the Old City.

Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said: “Jerusalem is Israel’s central tourism brand, representing the main attraction and focus for most incoming tourists.

“In order to meet our goal of an additional million tourists within three years, we will invest in this important brand over the next few years in order to make it attractive for new markets internationally and for the Israeli visitor.”

According to the ministry, 74 per cent of tourists to Israel visited Jerusalem, with 53 per cent spending at least one night in the capital and an average of six nights.

The most visited sites within Jerusalem are the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, the Mount of Olives, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Tower of David and Yad Vashem.

JTA