(TAN): Israel’s Tourism Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen said the country is reopening its doors to vaccinated tourists starting at the end of May, supported by the launch of a strategic campaign that ensures as many foreign tourist arrivals as possible in 2021.
At a news conference in Tel Aviv, the minister said: “Israel today is a world leader in safety and health, and we will make sure every potential tourist knows this when planning their summer or winter vacation…. We cannot miss this opportunity.”
As part of its global campaign, the Israel Ministry of Tourism will launch signs in three major cities of Dubai, London and New York, all of which combine the potential for inbound tourism and a high vaccination rate. The first sign will be put up in Dubai, both in English and Arabic, a historical step for both nations as it is the first time an Israeli campaign is being launched in the United Arab Emirates. Additional billboards will air in New York’s iconic Times Square and London’s famous Piccadilly Circus, with different designs but with a common message: Book your flight to Israel.
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Before the spread of Covid-19 caused a nationwide shutdown in India, The Israel Ministry of Tourism’s India Office had started discussions with some of Indian commercial carriers to consider a new route to Israel – connecting Indian cities to the resort city of Eilat in southern Israel, known to the India market for MICE movements.
“In recent years, Indian travellers have become familiar with the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and now we want to introduce them to the resort city of Eilat, on the shores of the Red Sea. Once international travel resumes from India, we are confident that Eilat will be a destination on the minds of the Indian travellers, so we want to make progress with potential flight routes when the demand comes.” said Sammy Yahia, director of tourism, India & Philippines.
Speaking about the technical details, the Minister explained Israel would open to a limited number of vaccinated groups at the end of May, before allowing an unlimited number of groups to enter a month later. The plan, as she explained, was that in the month of July, Israel would open to independent vaccinated tourists, without the need to be part of an organised group visit.
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“I know there is some criticism, and I can even agree with some of it,” Farkash-Hacohen said, stressing the plan wasn’t perfect but it was needed to ensure Israel maintained its position as a healthy country and not risk its citizens. “We are gradually reopening tourism to Israel, to ensure we protect the health and wellbeing of all Israelis, while enabling those in the tourism sector to return to work and rebuild — and welcoming back the many people yearning to return.”
