ISRAEL
Israel’s tourism body has a raft of trade initiatives planned, to expose more agents to a country that combines a highly modern face with a cultural and religious soul, says Natasha Blair
B
ordering the Mediterranean, in the Middle East, Israel certainly packs a lot into its relatively small size.
Approximately the size of Wales, it enjoys a 21st
century modern infrastructure that is superimposed on the cultures, flavours and sounds that belong more to times gone by. The country has spiritual sites that cover Jewish,
Christian and Muslim religions. Home to people from over 120 countries, a rich range of languages are spoken, although Hebrew is the official language. Arabic is also widely spoken, and 90 per cent of the population speak English. For such a tiny country, it has many different geographical and climatic zones, from mountain peaks in the north to the Dead Sea, 412m below sea level. The latter is currently being considered as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Israel is a good destination to visit at any time of the year. There is year-round sunshine, with a comfortable
temperature from March to May and September to November. January and February, the rainy season in the north, is when Eilat comes into its own with temperatures well into the 70s. Upcoming events to hang a sale upon include Ozzy
Osbourne, the former Black Sabbath frontman, who will be appearing at the Yarkon Park in Tel-Aviv on September 28, 2010.
www.aurismedia.com A sell-out is anticiapted for Verdi’s Aida in June
2011. The opera will be performed in a magical setting at the foot of Masada, using the mountain as a backdrop. Over 30,000 people are expected (www.
aida-at-masada.com). El Al, Jet2, and easyJet present plenty of
opportunities for agents to dynamically package the destination. Long used to the potential risk of terrorism, El Al’s security checks and systems are well established and considered some of the most effective in the world, and are being used as a role model by other global airlines.
Israel What’s New
For 2010 20 new tour operators are featuring Israel. Israel has also enlisted five specialist gay tour operators and is linking with a gay website that has continuous updates and information. Page & Moy is developing a brand new ‘Journey
through Israel’ tour for 2011. Its package aims to achieve a balance between the religious and secular Israel in one comprehensive programme. Jet2 has introduced a second-weekly flight from Manchester to Tel Aviv; easyJet has increased its weekly flights from six to seven. During the winter months El Al will be replacing its 767 with a 747, increasing capacity on the morning flight from Tel Aviv in August and the 14.30 flight from Heathrow. The airlines has also introduced 17 flights a week
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From left: Camel riding near the Sea of Galilee; 'Religion tourism' is big business in Israel; A 4x4 adventure in the Negev Desert
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Target: The discerning traveller who is interested
in seeking wider horizons (more inside)
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