All the news about Israeli tourism

Tourists from Ukraine who plan to visit Israel will benefit from the trial program being launched by the Ministry of Tourism, which plans to speed up the issue of tourist visas from the current 10 days down to 2 days.  The aim of the trial is to make Israel a more accessible destination.

The Ministry of Tourism sees this trial as a first step in the eventual cancellation of the need for a tourist visa for Ukrainians. Back in September 2008, visa requirements for Russian tourists were abolished.  As a result of this cancellation a record number of Russian tourists visited Israel; up to the end of October 2009 there were a total of 320,000 visitors, an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period last year.

A group of 80 travel agents from Ukraine, who arrived on their first visit to Israel, received their visas via this shortened procedure. The travel agents visited tourist sites in Israel and met with representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and were informed about packages in the fields of culture, religion and history, along with recreational and leisure options offered by Israel.

Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov, declared that he is certain that the easing of the visa process from Ukraine will result in an increase in visits to Israel and will be the first step in the cancellation of visa requirements for Ukrainian visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism reported that the former Commonwealth of Independent States and especially Russia and Ukraine, are regarded as countries with great tourist potential to Israel.  Before the cancellation of the visa requirements between Russia and Israel, there was the option of one day group visits to Israel from Eastern Europe and the former Commonwealth of Independent States.

Since the start of the year until the end of October, close to 60,000 tourists came to Israel from Ukraine, a fall of 45 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

Tour operator organizers reported that this is a welcome and important step from the Ministry of the Interior that will benefit tourism. “We are now expecting the cancellation of visa requirements for visitors from Georgia.”