In the first six months of 2010, some 1.6 million tourists have visited the Holy Land, a marked increase compared to 2009, and one that Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa attributes to a variety of factors.

The number of tourists is up some 39% from last year, and the Custos of the Holy Land told Vatican Radio that this can be attributed first to “a great activity on the part of episcopal conferences, dioceses and parish priests.”

The pilgrims come primarily from the United States, Russia, France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy.

Father Pizzaballa noted intense promotion campaigns from many priests and religious, as well as tour companies creating affordable packages.

“All these factors together have reawakened interest in the Holy Land. Not only on the part of Europe but also — and this is a novelty — of Asia,” said the priest.

ROME, (Zenit.org)