They came, they swam, they left
In Israel's 52nd year, the rich, famous, and obscure came to visit. Here are our 52 top distinguished tourists

1. Pope John Paul II He came, he prayed, he toured, he shmoozed with government ministers and religious leaders, and by the time it ended, the pope's visit to the Holy Land was pronounced a smashing success for both sides. The trip enchanced the pontiff's image as a peacemaker, remaining relatively gaffe-free, and polished Israel's image as a desirable destination. His visit gave the millennial-year tourism its biggest boost yet, bringing with him enough church officials, pilgrims, and journalists to fill hotels for the entire duration of his weeklong stay.