The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday that Israel recorded record-breaking tourism numbers for the first five months of 2014.

Tourist entries into Israel are up by 17% for the first quarter of 2014, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. The bureau stated that a record 382,000 visitors entered Israel this May, while 1.5 million visited between January and May this year.

A press release by the Israel Ministry of Tourism published the figures and pointed out an increase in tourism by 13% over figures for the same period in 2013, 19% more than in 2012 and 24% more than in 2011.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau credited the spike, in part, to last month’s papal visit. “The recent visit of Pope Francis caused a significant spike in incoming tourism, alongside the marketing work of the ministry in increasing Christian tourism, as well as cultural tourism,” he said.

This year’s May numbers are up nearly 14% over May 2013, which itself had previously held that month’s record. Two months later the tourism ministry reported that the revenues from tourism in “recent years” had increased by more than $1 billion.

Israel continues to be a popular destination, not just for tourists, but also for entertainers, researchers and diplomats.

[Photo: Israel / YouTube ]