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The Minister of Tourism and the chairman of the new Histadrut labor federation will meet with 130 managing directors and heads of worker committees in order to aid the tourist industry and the Israeli economy by choosing  a “Blue and White” (Israel) holiday.

In light of the economic recession and its effect on the Israeli workforce, the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Histadrut labor federation decided to convene a meeting with the heads of the largest workers committees and the heads of companies and to call on them to hold conventions, events, seminars, education programs and holidays in Israel

According to the data from the Ministry of Tourism, 2008 was a record year for Israeli tourism.  Revenue from domestic tourism totaled 10 billion shekels.  The direct overall contribution to the economy from the tourist industry was estimated at about 25 billion shekels.  The number of people employed, either directly or indirectly in the tourist industry during 2008 totaled about 150,000.

"The owners of large companies and workers committees have a duty to strengthen the tourist industry that employs tens of thousands of workers.  Every conference, event, and holiday should be hosted in Israel; this will in turn help to strengthen the tourist industry, the workers and the Israeli economy and will help to lessen the impact of the global recession.” said the Minister.

Expected to take part in the conference are senior members of the tourist industry as well as the Histadrut labor federation. Expected to speak are Minister of Tourism Ruhama Avraham, Chairman of the Histadrut Ofer Eini, Mickey Federman owner of Dan Hotels, Shaul Zemach director general of the Ministry of Tourism, Eli Gonen President of the Israel Hotel Association and Avi Ziv manager of domestic travel agents.