The Israel Ministry of Tourism is launching an advertising campaign directed to North American Christians this summer. The $1.5 million campaign will include print, radio and Internet messages in a variety of media reaching specific niche markets that include Evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics. Separate advertising messages will be directed to Hispanic audiences. In Canada, advertising will also appear on cable television in specific markets.

“Tourism to Israel is breaking all records with 2009, 2010 and 2011 the best years ever for travel to Israel, and with 2012 projected to show an additional 5 percent increase,” said Haim Gutin, Israel tourism commissioner for North and South America.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism estimates that some 40 percent of American tourists to Israel are Christians touring the Holy Land. The advertising messages will underscore the Ministry of Tourism's campaign theme "Visit Israel. You'll never be the same."