All the news about Israeli tourism

Incoming tour operators specializing in the Christian market, the Israel Hotels Association, representatives of municipalities which the Pope is expected to visit and other authorities in the tourist industry gathered in order to discuss all aspects of the visit.  Among issues discussed are marketing opportunities to increase the flow of pilgrims to Israel during the Pope’s visit and afterwards; the preparation and renovation of sites that he is expected to visit; the preparation of advertising material to be distributed to journalists accompanying him on his tour, preparation of tours and visits to tourist attractions for the delegation and all of the media.

As well as this, the Ministry of Tourism has in the last few months been preparing and upgrading many of the Christian sites in Israel at a cost of 6 million shekels.  This is in addition to the additional investment and expansion to the promenade at the top of the Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa and other pilgrimage routes in Jerusalem, Nazareth and around the Sea of Galilee.

According to the Tourism Minister, Ruhama Avraham, the Pope’s visit to the Holy Land is an important and significant event, providing a strategic opportunity for future pilgrimages to Israel in the coming years; particularly at this time when the tourist industry is suffering as a result of the global economic crisis.   Based on statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, 3 million tourists visited Israel in 2008, of which 1 million were pilgrims.