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In advance of a meeting due to take place with the ministerial committee for the Treasury on the subject of tourism as an engine to economic growth, the mayor of Eilat, Meir Yitzhak Halevy presented Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov with a three point strategic plan to convert the center of Eilat into the "urban center of the Red Sea."

Mayor Halevy proposes converting the entire beach front into a Riviera, constructing an international congress center in the city, a recreation area, a casino, expensive hotels and other tourist attractions.

His proposals also include the merging of the ports of Eilat and Aqaba as well and moving Eilat's airport away from the city center.  In his meeting with minister Misezhnikov, Halevy indicated that in the mid to long term, if Eilat was to gain the status of a prosperous and thriving international tourist resort it required the implementation of a number of major programs.

The programs would be as follows; first to improve the city's infrastructure including the beach area and the promenade, all tourist areas including side walks, the construction of bicycle paths; the building of an international sports complex, a congress and events center and upgrade to the marina.  Secondly on the cultural level, Eilat should be regarded as a center for festivals, concerts and events. The last program is the marketing of the city; increasing its exposure both within Israel and overseas.

Eli Lankri, acting deputy mayor of Eilat, who formulated the plan revealed that in its existing state Eilat was unable to realize its full potential; adding that it required the immediate investment of tens of millions of shekels in the tourist infrastructure.