Israel has welcomed over 1.4 million visitors during the first five month of this year, up six percent year on year and four percent from the previous record set in 2010.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel has also set a new record with incoming tourism (visitors and tourists) for the month of May 2012, Ynet travel reports.

With statistics showing that around 321,000 visitors arrived in Israel, up four percent from the same month in 2010 and 2011.

Among the tourists (those spending more than one night in Israel) around 269,000 arrived in May 2012, up one percent than the year before.

Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said the positive growth results shows that the investment in the industry increases income for the economy and creates ‘tens of thousands of new jobs’.