ITN - ISRAEL TRAVEL NEWS ONLINE - February 2023

№ ??? 〉 January 2019 № 436 〉 February 2023

February 2023

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08 Acre Named Most Hospitable City In Israel By Booking.com

06 2.67 Million Tourists Entered Israel In 2022

22 “Six Senses” Luxury Hotel Group

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האליו: הגל הקוריאני המוביל את התרבות הפופולרית בעולם ▬

אליו: הגל הקוריאני המוביל את תרבות הפופולרית בעולם ▬

הוא מונח המתאר את הפופולריות העולמית (Hallyu) הגל הקוריאני של סרטי, סדרות הטלוויזיה והמוזיקה של קוריאה. עם קיי-פופ ו-קיי-דרמות, קוריאה משכתבת את התרבות הפופולרית בעולם כיום ומשיגה סיפור הצלחה יוצא דופן. במהלך המסע שלכם, אתם עשויים ליהנות מהטרנד המרגש הזה בארץ מולדתו. אתם יכולים לבקר באתרי הצילום של הקיי-דרמות האהובות עליכם ולבקר במוזיאונים המוקדשים לאלילי הקיי-פופ האהובים עליכם. מצאו את הזמן להיראות כמו ידוענים קוריאניים עם מספרות קוריאניות, שיעניקו לכם את התסרוקות הקוריאניות הטרנדיות ביותר, איפור ואפילו אומנויות הציפורניים. יתר על כן, הקוסמטיקה הקוריאנית מציעה לכם איכות גבוהה במחירים נוחים מאוד.

הוא מונח המתאר את הפופולריות העולמית (Hallyu) גל הקוריאני ל סרטי, סדרות הטלוויזיה והמוזיקה של קוריאה. עם קיי-פופ קיי-דרמות, קוריאה משכתבת את התרבות הפופולרית בעולם כיום שיגה סיפור הצלחה יוצא דופן. במהלך המסע שלכם, אתם עשויים הנות מהטרנד המרגש הזה בארץ מולדתו. אתם יכולים לבקר באתרי צילום של הקיי-דרמות האהובות עליכם ולבקר במוזיאונים המוקדשים לילי הקיי-פופ האהובים עליכם. צאו את הזמן להיראות כמו ידוענים קוריאניים עם מספרות קוריאניות, עניקו לכם את התסרוקות הקוריאניות הטרנדיות ביותר, איפור ואפילו מנויות הציפורניים. יתר על כן, הקוסמטיקה הקוריאנית מציעה לכם כות גבוהה במחירים נוחים מאוד.

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בקוריאה אתם יכול ליהנות בכל ארבע העונות! באביב ניתן לראות פרחי אביב יפים כמו פריחת הדובדבן, פרחי קנולה ואזליאות. בסתיו, תוכלו להתפעל מהנופים המדהימים של העלים האדומים והצהובים של עצי הסתיו. בחורף, אתם יכולים ליהנות מכל מיני פעילויות במחוז גאנג-וואן באתרי הסקי השונים ובפסטיבלי החורף שלהם.

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קוריאה מציעה אירוח נוח, תשתית מודרנית, מהירות חיבור האינטרנט המהירה בעולם ותחבורה מתקדמת. עכשיו קל מאוד לבקר בקוריאה מישראל בטיסות ישירות של קוריאן אייר מתל אביב לסיאול הפועלות שלוש פעמים בשבוע! למבקרים מוצעת גם רשת תחבורה מפותחת בתוך הארץ. בתוך הערים הגדולות, ניתן להשתמש ברכבת התחתית ולנסיעות בין הערים, בקוריאה יש מהירות. KTX רכבות ודרישות הבידוד PCR- יתרה מכך, קוריאה הסירה את בדיקות ה כדי להיכנס למדינה. כל מה שאתה צריכים לדעת, זה להירשם ואתם חופשיים להיכנס לקוריאה! Q-Code- ו KETA למערכות

קוריאה עם כל ההיבטים הללו מקדמת את פניכם עם מסע ציורי, ייחודי ובלתי נשכח במחירים נוחים במיוחד.

הא הת ▬

הג של ו-ק ומש ליה הצ לאל מצ שיע אומ איכ

קוריאה: חוויות ייחודיות למסע בלתי נשכח

הארץ המשלבת חיים מודרניים עם מאפיינים מסורתיים ▬

דרום קוריאה מאמצת את כל הנוחות והטכנולוגיה של העולם המודרני, תוך שמירה על ההיסטוריה והמסורת המרשימה שלה. במהלך ביקורכם בקוריאה, תחוו מגוון ניגודים, אתם יכולים לטייל לבושים בהאנבוקים - הבגדים הקוריאניים בארמון ג'יונגבוקג'ונג בקיונגג'ו המוכר כאתר מקדש בולוגסקה המסורתיים, לבקר ב עיר מרין מורשת של אונסק"ו, או לחוות את גורדי השחקים של ה בחוף האונדה בבוסאן.

www.visitkorea.or.kr

CONTENTS February 2023

ISRAEL TRAVEL NEWS

Israel Tourism 2.67 Million Tourists Entered Israel In 2022 Guiding Architects Are Coming To Tel-Aviv Acre Named Most Hospitable City In Israel By Booking.com Bringing Back The Tourism Momentum From Bulgaria Aviation Hainan Airlines Is Launching Another Route: Tel Aviv- Beijing Aviation News Culinary Tourism Tourism Ministry Greenlights Entry Of Michelin Guide To Israel

Hotels Israeli Hotel Makes Prestigious Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Gold List’ Galilee Circassian Village Picked As Top Tourism Spot Prima Chain Expands And Renovates Hotels All Over Israel Tidhar Group And Ziv Aviram Signed An Agreement With The “Six Senses” Luxury Hotel Group The Accor Chain Will Open Four New Hotels In Israel The Fattal Hotel Chain Continues To Expand In Jerusalem Sitopia Will Open In February 2023 Three New Hotels In Tel Aviv For The Brown Hotels Chain ”Travel Hotels” And Tel Katzir

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ISRAEL TOURISM

February 2023

2.67 MILLION TOURISTS ENTERED ISRAEL IN 2022

The recovery from the tourism crisis is progressing at a fast pace: A decrease of 41% since the beginning of the year compared to 2019

I n 2022, 2.675 million tourists entered Israel, compared to 397 thousand arrivals (only) in 2021 and 831 thousand arrivals in 2020. The skies in Israel were officially opened for tourist arrivals only in March 2022 and in fact – without restrictions – only about 3 months later, in May. The volume of incoming tourism to Israel this year is approximately 41% lower than the record year 2019. The volume of revenue from incoming tourism is estimated at 13.5 billion ILS (not including tourist expenses on flights with Israeli companies) compared to approximately 23 billion ILS in 2019. The Ministry of Tourism, Haim Katz, points out that several

factors must be taken into account that affected the number of tourist arrivals in the year of recovery: “as we know, tourists plan their trips some time in advance, and also that Israel opened up to tourism later than similar destinations in the region and Europe. Therefore, the rate of Israel’s recovery from the crisis is slightly lower than the global average, which is a decrease of about 36% in the volume of incoming tourism compared to 2019”. However, an increase in tourism can be seen from month to month: in December 2022, 266.2 thousand tourist arrivals were recorded (compared to 20.5 thousand in December 2021 and 358.3 thousand in December 2019)

– a decrease of about 25% (only) in relation to December 2019. Record of Israeli nights: In 2022, over 20 million Israeli overnight stays were recorded in a variety of accommodation facilities in Israel of all types. This is a number that is higher than the volume of overnight stays in 2019 before the corona virus (in which 18.4 million Israeli overnight stays were recorded). As a result of the significant increase in overnight stays by Israelis, the income from domestic tourism also increased significantly, with revenues in 2022 reaching more than 17 billion ILS compared to approximately 12.7 billion ILS in 2019. Tourist overnight stays: In

2022, there was a certain recovery in tourist overnight stays, which reached 7.1 million overnight stays, but this is still a 41% decrease compared to 2019 (before the COVID-19 crisis). The total overnight stays by tourists amounted to approximately 23 million, a decrease of 11% compared to 2019. The overnight stays of the Israelis: totaled approximately 15.9 million overnight stays, an increase of 8% compared to 2021 and an increase of 16% compared to 2019. This is a record number of overnight stays by Israelis with an increase of approximately 1.2 million overnight stays compared to 2021 and an increase of approximately 2.2 million compared to 2019.

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ISRAEL TOURISM

February 2023

ISRAEL HOSTED THE FIRST EVER ABRAHAM ACCORDS ESPORTS PEACE GAMES The event’s organizers announced plans to add up to 10 nations to the peace games, which will cost 1.5 million USD to produce

G uiding Architects chain operates in over 40 cities in 22 countries, including Paris, New York, Cindy, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and more. Tel Aviv was added to the organization after about a year of tests and examination by local authorities, that the city meets the requirements of the high professional content awarded to professionals from all over the world. The organization was founded in the late 1990s by architects from Berlin and became an official global network in 2004. In 2019 alone, the organization held over 1800 tours with the participation of over 35,000 architects. The delegation chosen to hold the tours in Tel Aviv is the ReCA Center (Rechter Center for Architecture), a non-profit organization that was established in 2017 to promote the architectural discourse as a generator of environment and society. The center initiates, creates and makes accessible independent and in-depth thought as part of the concept that defines architecture as a public interest and of civic importance. In addition to training, the association also engages in research and educational activities in schools nationwide. Roy Gordon, founder and CEO of the Richter Center for Architecture: “We are proud of Guiding Architects’ trust in the Rechter Center for Architecture and are confident that we will be able to mediate the architectural heritage of Tel Aviv in the most professional way. We are now working to add Jerusalem to the organization as well. The tours are also open to the general public as well as to Israeli architects, who are looking for professional content at an international level”. GUIDING ARCHITECTS ARE COMING TO TEL-AVIV Guiding Architects Tel Aviv joined the prestigious club - professional architecture tours delivered by architects in leading cities in the world

T el Aviv hosted the inaugural event, organized in partnership with Israel’s Foreign Ministry, philanthropist Abraham Accords Esports Peace Games in January 2023. The

Sylvan Adams, New York-based investment banking firm LionTree and the Israeli Esports Association, saw competitors from Israel, the US, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and “special guests and leading gamers” competed against one another, with a prize of $82,000 that was distributed among the winners. Adams, who co-chairs the games’ organizing committee alongside US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, said Israel will “witnessed the power of sports that brings people together in friendship in this new Middle East. The Abraham Accords are a game changer for our region, with our new diplomatic relations fostering business, educational and scientific exchanges”, Adams wrote in a statement. “But for this to endure, to weave the warm peace that we will seek in the region, we must have people-to-people exchanges – sporting, cultural and especially tourism with our neighbors… E-sports introduces a whole new cohort to Israel”. The event’s organizers further announced plans to add up to 10 nations to the peace games, which will be held at a production cost of $1.5 million. The event, which was held in Tel Aviv’s Shlomo Group Arena, drew thousands of people from across the country. In addition to the games, an open gaming festival was held in which esports enthusiasts were able to “connect with each other via the gaming world”. Esports is growing globally, with the US estimating an international industrial value of $1.8 billion by 2025. Some esports events have reached up to 400 million viewers worldwide. The event organizers will also offer site-seeing tours and trips for visitors coming to Israel from around the world.

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ISRAEL TOURISM

ACRE NAMED MOST HOSPITABLE CITY IN ISRAEL BY BOOKING.COM After a couple years

T he northern Israeli city of Acre was named the most hospitable city in Israel by travel booking website Booking.com’s 2023 Traveler Review Awards. While Acre has been recognized by the Traveler Review Awards in the past as Israel’s most hospitable city, it lost this distinction for a couple of years after Rosh Pina took the top spot in 2021 and 2022. Rosh Pina was ranked the second-most hospitable city in Israel in this year’s report, followed by Had Ness, Arad and Mitzpe Ramon. “We are excited and proud that the city of Acre was ranked first by Booking.com,” The Mayor of Acre, Shimon Lankri, declared in response to the coveted ranking. “In Acre, we emphasize content tourism and invest in the depth of the cultural, historical and culinary content. The secret of the city’s success in recent years lies in the combination of its geographic putside of the top spot, the city of Acre retook its position as Israel’s most hospitable city in this year’s Booking.com Traveler Review Awards

location and history that makes it unique, alongside an unprecedented investment in projects to upgrade the tourist experience”. Mayor Lankri also made it a point to give recognition to the hospitality establishments that have helped make Acre the tourist destination it has become today – despite the challenges We will continue to invest to provide a response to the number of tourists that visit the city every year and to offer a different, exciting and different tourism

brought along by the COVID-19 pandemic that battered the hospitality industry around the world. “We will continue to invest to provide a response to the number of tourists that visit the city every year and to offer a different, exciting and different tourism,” Lankri added. A total of 3,009 Israeli hospitality companies received recognition in this year’s awards out of a total of nearly 1.4 million awards given globally by Booking.com. Italian hospitality companies received the most awards globally with over 170,000 total awards presented, while Spain had nearly 110,000 establishments that received the distinction.

10 • www.itn.co.il

February 2023

M inister of Tourism, Haim Katz, met with his the cooperation between the countries in investments in tourism, in the exchange of knowledge on business tourism, medical tourism, religion and more. Also, the agreement will encourage the increase in the number of direct flights between the countries and the travel-tech field (innovative technologies in tourism). Israel has marked Minister of Tourism Haim Katz traveled to Sofia to sign a cooperation agreement Bulgarian counterpart, Minister Ilin Dimitrov, and the two signed an agreement that will strengthen BRINGING BACK THE TOURISM MOMENTUM FROM BULGARIA

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The new agreement is intended, among other things, to restore the positive momentum before the COVID-19 virus and promote agreements with leading wholesalers with the aim of increasing the number of tourists coming to Israel. At the signing ceremony for the tourism agreement, Minister Katz congratulated the warm relations between the countries and called on the Bulgarians to come and visit Israel: “This year we celebrate 80 years of the courage and humanity shown by Bulgaria in rescuing Jews in the Holocaust. The agreement is another milestone in our relations. I am sure that it will contribute to increasing cooperation and strengthening our partnership. You are a wonderful people. We would like to see you more in Israel”. Minister of Tourism Ilin Dimitrov: “Israel is a major tourism market for Bulgaria. We will cooperate in order to increase the number of flights between the countries which will contribute to increasing the number of tourists in both directions”.

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Israel Travel News • 11

AVIATION

February 2023

The flights will be operated twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays starting from February 15th, 2023, in modern Dreamliner and Airbus planes HAINAN AIRLINES IS LAUNCHING ANOTHER ROUTE: TEL AVIV-BEIJING

Aviv and Beijing came a few days after China lifted the latest Corona restrictions, including the restrictions on entering China that had been in place for the past three years. Today, travelers to China are required to have a negative PCR test at least 48 hours before departure and fill out a health declaration only.

flights to Israel is expected to return to pre-corona levels sooner than expected. CEO of Hainan Airlines Israel, Andy Wei, said: “We are very excited to announce the opening of our most important route to China – Tel Aviv-Beijing. The Israeli market exceeded all our expectations in the days before the Corona and we are convinced that the opening of the line to Beijing along with the lifting of the Corona restrictions in China will return the Chinese tourists and businessmen to Israel, and the Israelis to China. We are ready to provide passengers with the best service and are looking forward to our first flight to Beijing, the capital of China, on 15.2. We hope to increase the frequency of flights to Shenzhen and Shanghai soon in order to meet the expected demand, and look forward to finally returning to pre-Corona operations and making all of China accessible to the Israeli passenger with our onward flights”.

A fter returning to ago, and against the backdrop of the lifting of the Corona restrictions in China, the Chinese airline Hainan Airlines announces that it will return to operating its direct flight line to Beijing. The flights will be operated operations in Israel about two months twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays starting from February 15th, 2023, in modern Dreamliner and Airbus planes. The company, the fourth largest in China, entered Israel by storm in 2016, but completely suspended its activities in the country in February 2020, after the

We hope to increase the frequency of flights to Shenzhen and

Shanghai soon in order to meet the expected demand

Those entering China are no longer required to be quarantined. The first flight to Beijing will take off just three months after the company re-launched the line to Shenzhen (once a week on Tuesdays), and two months after the launch of the line to Shanghai (once a week on Thursdays). The dizzying pace of opening the lines characterizes the Chinese company and it seems that the demand in China for

outbreak of the global corona crisis. Now, with the return of the line to Beijing, alongside the lines that Hainan already operates to Shenzhen and Shanghai, the Chinese are back and bigtime with three direct lines to three different destinations in China and dozens of onward destinations in the giant country. The company’s announcement regarding the direct line between Tel

12 • www.itn.co.il

AVIATION

Azerbaijan Airlines Renews its Fleet and Adds Flight Frequency to Tel Aviv Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) announces the renewal of its aircraft fleet and the addition of new generation aircraft manufactured by Boeing and Airbus as part of its development strategy until 2030. It will also add frequencies to flights from Tel Aviv during holidays and the summer season

Air France increases frequencies in Tel Aviv and launches a sale with affordable prices in premium economy class Air France is expected to increase the number of weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Paris starting in March and is launching promotions

T he national airline of Azerbaijan announces the purchase of the new generation aircraft, as it has stuck to its strategy so far when in the narrow body segment, the company continues to stick to Airbus planes and chose the A320neo family. So far, the company has purchased 3 planes of this model and is expected to add more planes to this fleet. The A320 planes of the Azeri company will be equipped with 186 tourist class seats.

At the same time, AZAL is expected to increase the frequency of flights on the route between Tel Aviv and Baku. In the first two weeks of April, in preparation for Passover, the company will operate 7 weekly flights from Tel Aviv to Baku. In addition, from the end of June until October, the company will also operate 7 weekly flights from Tel Aviv on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This, instead of 5 flights that are operated today.

A ir France is expected to increase the frequency of its flights from Tel Aviv to Paris. Starting from the last week of March, Air France will operate 2 daily flights from Tel Aviv to Paris, i.e. 14 weekly flights, compared to about 11-12 weekly flights today. At the same time, Air France launches a promotion for flights from Tel Aviv to Paris

and onward destinations in the company’s flight network and in all classes - tourists, premium tourists and business. The promotions are valid for flights booked until February 2 and for flights from the beginning of February until the end of November 2023. Air Astana Will Operate Direct flights from Israel to Almaty

14 • www.itn.co.il

February 2023

Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana , is expected to start operating direct flights from Israel as early as summer 2023

T he national airline of Kazakhstan is expected to operate between 2-3 weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan - and even its capital until the breakup of the Soviet Union. A final date for the start of the flights has not yet

been decided, but they are expected to start operating between June and August this year. Beyond direct flights to Kazakhstan, Air Astana flights from Tel Aviv are expected to offer another advantage in the form of connecting flights from

Almaty to destinations

in the East. Among the destinations to which Air Astana already flies today from Almaty International Airport are Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok, Phuket and New Delhi. The company is also

preparing to expand its international operations in 2023 to additional destinations, so that there may be additional opportunities for continued flights with it.

Gulf Air Will Offer Convenient Connection Flights from Tel Aviv to G oa network to coastal destinations in the summer of 2023 G ulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, announced Gulf Air announces the expansion of its flight that it will return to operating flights to several major coastal destinations in the summer season of 2023. The list of new destinations that the company will add includes Goa - 4 weekly flights, Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh - 2 weekly flights, Mykonos - 2 weekly flights, Nice - 2 weekly flights, Malaga - 3 weekly flights. The addition of the new Goa route to Gulf Air’s flight network will increase the company’s number of destinations in India to 9 different cities. Meanwhile, by adding the line to Goa, Gulf Air will offer convenient connections for flights from Tel Aviv as well. A check in the reservation system shows that flights from Tel Aviv to Goa with Gulf Air will last about 10 hours on the way and 9 hours on the return, with a 3-hour stopover in Bahrain.

Cathay Pacific will offer flights at prices that currently start at 809 USD in economy class. This is a combination of a very good price compared to what is currently offered in the market with a level of comfort and service that should be among the best in the market. Flights in the premium tourist class will start at 1,629 USD and in business from 2,919 USD. Another particularly favorite destination for Israelis is Thailand. Cathay Pacific will offer flights to Bangkok and Phuket in economy class starting at 689 USD or 1,519 USD in economy class and 2,549 USD in business class. Cathay Pacific Offers Offers Affordable Flights from Tel Aviv to the East Cathay Pacific offers flights from Tel Aviv to a number of sought-after destinations in Asia and the Pacific, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Vietnam

Israel Travel News • 15

AVIATION

February 2023

Most Likely: Direct Flights from Israel to Nigeria

The Nigerian airline Air Peace aim to operate direct flights between Tel Aviv and Lagos, the largest city in the country and the economic capital of Nigeria N igerian airline Air Peace is preparing to start operating direct flights between Tel Aviv and Lagos as early as this April, with 3 weekly flights on Boeing 777 aircraft.

page about the expected flights to Tel Aviv, alongside new flight routes to Mumbai and Kinshasa (Congo). What is planned are 3 weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Lagos that will be operated with 777 aircraft. The reason for choosing the large aircraft is apparently its ability to carry a larger volume of cargo and thus support Israeli exports to Nigeria. Also, in the past it was discussed that the flights would be used to fly believing Christians and Israeli workers between the countries.

It appears that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the Ministry of Transportation in Israel has received and is examining the request to operate

the direct flights of the Nigerian airline between the destinations. The African airline is already preparing for their operation and even updated on its Instagram

Delta Switches to a Daily Flight on the Atlanta Tel Aviv Route Delta Airlines announced a few months ago the renewal of the historic flight line between Atlanta and Tel Aviv with three weekly flights. Now, Delta increases the frequency of flights on the line, even before it started operating

D elta Airlines will increase the frequency of flights between Atlanta and Tel Aviv from three flights a week to a daily flight starting on April 16. “Our

renewal of the route between Atlanta and Tel Aviv, ten years after it stopped operating flights on this route. First, it announced that it would resume the route on May 8,

2023, and a short time later announced that the flights would start on March 27 in order to allow passengers to fly on this route already during the next Passover holiday.

mission is to build a flight schedule that gives a better connection to our customers,” said a company official. Delta Airlines announced a few months ago the

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AVIATION

February 2023

ISRAIR Is Launching New Destinations For Spring And Summer 2023 Málaga in Spain, Chania in Crete, Lisbon and Naples are just some of the destinations, while Israel is launching a promotion for Passover and summer vacation

Tap Air is Increasing Frequencies in Tel Aviv and Lowering Sale Prices

I srair continues to grow and expand and announced the opening of a new airline with direct flights to Málaga in Spain. The first flight will take off on May 16th – the flights leave once a week on Tuesdays. Air ticket price starting at 479 USD per person including taxes and package price for 7 nights in a 4-star hotel starting at 899 USD per person. The duration of the flight from Israel to Málaga is about 5:50 hours. Málaga is the fifth largest city in Spain and the capital of the Costa del Sol, “Bay of the Sun”. Its location is on one of the great lowlands of the coastal strip on the Riviera and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain thanks to being a picturesque and colorful city. The area is characterized by pleasant weather, all year round, thanks to the surrounding mountains.

Málaga allows easy access to the hotspots of the area, including the eternal triangle of Granada, Seville and Córdoba and of course the glittering resorts scattered along the Costa del Sol Riviera. In addition to the 30 destinations to which Israir has flown so far, several new destinations of the company will be launched this year starting in the spring of 2023. Israir will start flying to Chania in Crete – the price of a plane ticket starts at 214 USD per person, a package for 3 nights in a 5-star hotel, the price starts from – 499 USD per person, to Lisbon flight ticket price starting at 580 USD including taxes, flight + car per week starting at 679 USD to Naples flight ticket price starting at 322 USD per person package price for 4 nights in a 3* hotel starting at 599 USD.

Tap Air Portugal announces its expected flight schedule for 2023. The Portuguese airline is expected to add flights to a variety of destinations in the world including destinations in North and South America, Europe and Asia

T ap Air Portugal number of flights from Tel Aviv from five weekly flights to a daily flight starting at the beginning of April. The flights from Tel Aviv to Lisbon will be operated on Airbus A321neoLR planes that offer full business company announced an increase in the class and tourist class with preferred seats (comfort tourists). While in the past the planes on the line were relatively often replaced by the A320neo planes, it can be seen that in December, almost only the upgraded

A321 planes operated on the line, which according to Tapp will continue to be the dominant planes on the line. The company also announced an increase in the frequency from Lisbon to Brazil with 43 weekly flights to various destinations in the country (Belem, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Salvador and Sao Paulo), and the addition of flights to the USA as well with 44 weekly flights to various destinations in the USA - Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco Washington.

18 • www.itn.co.il

A pilgrimage of a life time HOLY LAND Visit the Holy Land with FIRST TRIP! Live the Holy Land like never before, with competitive prices and added values. Follow the footsteps of Jesus and feel enlightened. Israel, Jordan and Egypt Un peregrino de toda la vida en TIERRA SANTA Visita Tierra Santa con FIRST TRIP! Vive tierra santa como nunca antes, con precios competitivos y valores añadidos. Sigue los pasos de Jesús y siéntete iluminado Israel, Jordania e Egipto

www.firsttrip-tours.com

info@firsttrip.co.il

Atzmon st irusim center Nof haglil P.O. Box 2850 (Nazareth) +

Caesar Premier Hotels Israel

JERUSALEM / EILAT / TIBERIAS

A perfect combination between historical sites and today’s comfort, situated near the main tourist locations.

www.caesarhotels.co.il

CULINARY TOURISM

February 2023

TOURISM MINISTRY GREENLIGHTS ENTRY of MICHELIN GUIDE TO ISRAEL After years of negotiations, prestigious culinary rankings expected to debut in Tel Aviv, the only city where Michelin inspectors see ‘feasibility’ for review I srael is moving ahead with a years-long plan to bring the Michelin Guide to the

culinary scene blossoms – even winning six spots this week on a list of the 50 best eateries in the Middle East and North Africa. The prestigious list published Monday by the website theworlds50best. com and sponsored by San Pellegrino and Aqua Panna was announced at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi. The highest-ranking Israeli restaurant was George & John in Tel Aviv, which ranked sixth on the list.

local restaurant scene, the Tourism Ministry announced recently. Tourism Minister Haim Katz (Likud), who entered the position a month ago, has given a green light to the introduction of the prestigious culinary guide, the ministry said, building on years of efforts by his predecessors. In a statement, Katz said the Michelin inspectors currently see “feasibility” only in evaluating Tel Aviv’s restaurant scene, and will therefore work with the Tel Aviv municipality. Meanwhile, the ministry will work on the potential

Other Israeli restaurants included in this year’s list

are OCD (14), which ranked 3rd last year; A Restaurant (24), which made the list for the first time; Animar (32), dropping from 17; Milgo & Milbar (40), which receives the same ranking as last year; and HaBasta (48), which expressed disappointment after falling from 14 in last year’s list. OCD also received an award for Most Sustainable Restaurant, for its zero-waste policy that includes a wide- ranging fermentation process, while Tel Aviv’s Opa and chef Shirel Berger was named winner of the One To Watch Award.

In an interview with Calcalist shortly before leaving office, Razvozov said a deal with Michelin was close to being signed, and that he would explain to his successor “the importance” of

of expanding the coverage to other cities in the future, he said. The deal is said to cost Israel about 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million), which

for its “concerning omission” of Israel. A handful of Israeli chefs with restaurants abroad have been awarded a Michelin star, including Moshik Roth for several locations in Amsterdam, Assaf Granit for Shabour in Paris, and Gal Ben Moshe for Prism in Berlin. Even without Michelin’s say, Israeli restaurants have received many accolades in recent years as the country’s

finalizing the agreement for economic reasons. Local restaurateurs as well as global figures

the Tourism Ministry will split with the municipality. Former tourism minister Yoel Razvozov of Yesh Atid pushed for the guide’s advancement during his term in office, which ended late last year.

have long been clamoring for Michelin to bring in heavyweight rankings: in 2016, World Jewish Congress president Ron Lauder wrote a letter criticizing the company

20 • www.itn.co.il

SPA VILLAGE HOTEL & SPA Hamat - Gader

For more info | meir@hamat-gader.com | 972-4-6655557 hamatgaderpark hamat-gader.com

hamat gader

RESORT

New Tour in the Western Wall Tunnels!

THE GREAT BRIDGE ROUTE

This is a fascinating route underground that passes exciting sites and findings from the Second Temple period. The tour includes use of state-of-the-art illustration tools, a visit to impressive public structures, seeing hidden sections of the Western Wall, a hydraulic model of the Temple Mount and the Temple, and more.

Duration of tour: Approx. one hour Entrance with advance reservations Entrance fees: Individuals: Adult 30 nis ❘ Child 19 nis Guiding 295 nis Guided group: Up to 30 participants Adult 38 nis ❘ Child 25 nis Group:

FYI: The Western Wall Tunnels sites are also open during evening and night hours

לפרטים נוספים אודות אתרי מנהרות הכותל הכנסו לאתר האינטרנט שלנו או סרקו את הברקוד Visit our website or scan the barcode

חדש במנהרות הכותל המערבי!

מסלול הגשר הגדול מסלול סיור מרתק המאפשר למבקרים "לגעת בהיסטוריה" ולפסוע בין תגליות מרהיבות בבטן האדמה מימי בית המקדש השני.

דקות 60 כ-

משך המיצג:

הכניסה בהזמנה מראש

לילד ₪ 25 ❘ למבוגר ₪ 38 מחיר הכרטיס: לילד ₪ 19 ❘ למבוגר ₪ 30 בקבוצה מודרכת: תוספת הדרכה לקבוצה ₪ 295

הסיור כולל שימוש באמצעי המחשה מתקדמים, ביקור במבני ציבור מרשימים, הגעה לחלקים נסתרים של הכותל המערבי, דגם הידראולי של הר הבית והמקדש ועוד. לידיעתכם: אתרי מנהרות הכותל פתוחים גם בשעות הערב והלילה

משתתפים 30 עד קבוצה מודרכת:

❘ www.thekotel.org ❘ * 5958

HOTELS

February 2023

ISRAELI HOTEL MAKES PRESTIGIOUS CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S ‘GOLD LIST’ The Jaffa - a former convent, described as ‘anachronistic masterpiece’, where old meets new with sweeping ceilings, neoclassical ornaments and colonnaded walkways

A n Israeli hotel was “Gold List,” a prestigious annual roll call of the luxury travel magazine’s top places to stay in the world. The eponymous Jaffa, located in the city of the same name adjoining Tel Aviv, made an appearance in Africa and the included in this year’s Condé Nast Traveler’s

Middle East section. The magazine said its list was “passionately selected by our international team”. It described The Jaffa, which has 120 rooms, as “a stained-glass- windowed former convent that British designer John Pawson has turned into an anachronistic masterpiece”. The interior has “sweeping

ceilings, all powder blue and rimmed with Neoclassical ornaments” with an “altar turned bar, clad in marble. This old-meets-new formula informs the hotel’s other spaces too, from the colonnaded walkways around the citrus-scented courtyard, where all-day deli Golda’s serves bagels and

lox and shakshuka, to the timeworn plastered ceilings” in the suites. The Jaffa, it wrote, is “an apt analogy for the rapid gentrification happening just outside the lobby, where Jaffa, just south of downtown Tel Aviv, has emerged as one of Israel’s most envelope-pushing creative hot spots”.

GALILEE CIRCASSIAN VILLAGE PICKED AS TOP TOURISM SPOT

Kfar Kama, one of two Circassian villages in Israel, listed on 32 “Best Tourism Villages 2022” by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization K far Kama, one knowledge systems, and local values and activities, including culinary. the Negev. Kfar Kama, founded by Muslims originating from the

of two Circassian villages in Israel, appears on a list of 32 “Best Tourism Villages 2022” from 18 countries chosen by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). he objective of “Best Tourism Villages,” now in its second year, is to promote and enhance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages of up to 15,000 residents, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity,

The initiative also promotes transformative approaches to the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to sustainable development goals. The UNWTO got 136 requests from 57 member countries for consideration by an independent advisory board. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism proposed Kfar Kama and Tzippori in the Galilee as well as Kibbutz Neot Semadar in

Caucasus, features unique architecture and a museum of Circassian culture. The community sponsors heritage and culture events including dance performances and tourist festivals. The village, whose tourist infrastructure has been renovated with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism, is full of restaurants, family riding attractions, a dairy offering workshops on

cheese making processes and the Circassian Heritage Conservation Center, which offers tours of the old village alleyways, a sound and light show and tastings from the Circassian cuisine.

24 • www.itn.co.il

Lectures, Conferences & Events List of Main Exhibitors Venue floor plan Pavilion 2 Free Shuttle Service

Lectures, Conferences & Events

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

08:30 - 10:00 IMTM 2023 Traditional VIP Breakfast Rooftop / Ocean By invitation

10:00 - 10:30 Opening Ceremony Lobby Open to all

11:00 - 14:30 Israel Ministry of Tourism - GO ISRAEL - B2B Meetings with Invited Agents Roof Top / Ocean By invitation English

11:00 - 15:00 Israel Hotel Association – The AI CHAT GPT In The Service of Increasing Hotel Profitability Hall K By invitation Hebrew

12:00 - 13:00 Iceland is now even closer! Learn all there is to know about the land of the midnight sun, volcanoes, geothermal spas, and mountains Hall I Open to all - English

12:00 - 13:00 World Jewish Travel Launches the Jewish Silk Road Hall H By invitation English

12:00 - 13:00 Israel Ministry of Tourism - Ceremony for Tourism Excellence Hall G By invitation Hebrew

13:30 - 14:30 Slovak Republic Hall H Open to all English

13:30 - 14:30 Israel Association Of Travel Agencies – Ceremony for Tourism Excellence Hall I By invitation Hebrew

13:30 - 14:30 Israel Ministry of Toursim – Statutory Planning and Land – The Production Basis of the Tourism Industry Hall G By invitation Hebrew

15:00 - 16:00 Montenegro - Come and see a destination of contrasting beauties - Montenegro! Discover more about our natural beauties, great gastronomy, and culture Hall H Open to all - English

15:00 - 16:30 Israel Ministry of Tourism – How do you deal with the accommodation challenges in front of a vision of 10 million tourists? Hall G Open to all - Hebrew

17:00 - 19:00 Uzbekistan Hall H Open to all English

19:00 IMTM AFTER PARTY

Harakevet St. 8 | Abraham

Tel Aviv By Registration

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

10:00 - 11:00 Influencers in tourism - How does it work? Hall I Open to all Hebrew

10:00 - 11:00 Azerbaijan – Mountain Jews Museum Hall G Open to all English

10:30 - 12:00 Gil Hovav Hosts the Travel Community Conference – Tourism for the Elderly Hall L By invitation Hebrew

11:00 - 12:00 SUNORAMA Hall K Open to all Hebrew

11:00 - 13:00 Israel Association of Travel Agencies Halls H By invitation Hebrew

12:00 - 13:00 Brazil Hall G Open to all English

12:00 - 13:00 Kyrgyz Republic Hall I Open to all English

12:30 - 15:30 Turkey Halls K,L Open to all English

14:00 - 15:00 Innovation in the Tourist Experience - Panel Hall G Open to all Hebrew

14:00 - 15:00 Being a traveling family - The amazing story of OLO - Only Live Once Hall I Open to all Hebrew

14:00 - 16:00 Domestic Tourism Agents in Israel Hall H By invitation Hebrew

16:00 - 19:00 The Israeli Organization of Tour Guides Abroad Hall G By invitation Hebrew

* Schedule subject to changes

List of Main Exhibitors

Exhibitor

Booth No. Exhibitor

Booth No.

Abraham Hostels & Tours

Galilion Hotel

107

ACCOR

Georgia - National Tourism Administration

121+122

Achziv Beach

Golden Tours

AERO VIP

Greece - National Tourism Organization

124

Africa / African Queen Adventure

16-18

Green Olive Tours

94A

Ammunition Hill

87-88

Guru Zuzu - Zuzu Playfull

Arkia

Gush Etzion Tourism

Ashdod Tourism and Development Company

89+90

Hagoshrim Kayaks

ATVs in Dishon

Haifa University

Authentic Asia

Hebrew Music Museum

87-88

Ayia Napa - Cyprus

Herzl Center

87-88

Azerbaijan

129

Herzliya

77+79

Balkan Pearls

Hilton

111

Barelito Glamping

Howazit

Batumi - Georgia

121+122

Hungary - 1000 dorog

Begin Center

87-88

Hungary - 1000 ÚT Travel

Belarus - National Tourism Agency

24+25

Iceland Air / Peace Air and Aviation Services

22+23

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

87-88

Inspired Voyager - Greece

Binyamin Tourism

75-76

Israel Hotel Association

Brazil

105

Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association

Bulgaria - Ministry of Tourism

118+119

Israel is Beautiful

Canada Center

Israel Ministry of Tourism

Carmelim

57B

Israel Museum

87-88

City of David

87-88

Israel Nature and Parks Authority

Cyprus - Deputy Ministry of Tourism - Republic of Cyprus

130

Israel Tourism Marketing Association

109B

Czech Republic - Czech Tourism Authority

136

Israel Travel News Ltd.

Business Lounge

D-CITY

Israel Youth Hostels Association I.Y.H.A

Dguide

Israir Airlines and Tourism

132B

Dive Virtual

Italy - DRIVALIA S.P.A.

Dodecanese Rhodes - Greece

1+2

Italy - ENIT

126

East Jerusalem Development Company

87-88

ITTAA

110D

Eilat - Municipal Tourism Corporation

IZRAEX - Authentic Israeli Experience

El Al Israel Airlines

100

Japan - National Tourism Organization

139

El Salvador

Jerusalem Development Authority

87-88

Eynav Information Technology

Jerusalem Winery

87-88

Falcon Laser Tag

61A

Jewish Quater Tourism

87-88

Galil Tourism Association

30-42+62-74

Karamel - Attractions & Fun

110A

List of Main Exhibitors

Exhibitor

Booth No. Exhibitor

Booth No.

Kfar Blum Kayaks

Radios 100FM

24+25

Korea - Tourism Organization

140

Rayna Tourism - Dubai

127

Kosova

113

Red Bus City Tours - V.V.T Tourismus

Outdoor Exh.

Kyrgyz Republic

133A

Romania

141

Lametayel

109A

RTB House

86A

Lithuania / EKSPOBALTA Ltd.

99A

Salam Dubai Tourism

Magdala

86C

Sarah Tours / Emotion Tours Morocco

138

Malta - Tourism Authority

Seychelles

10+11

Mateh Yehuda Tourism

57A

Simple Profit

108

Menashe

57B

Simplex

Meteora - Greece

99B

Slovakia

Migvan Insurance

103

Slovenia - Tourist Board

123

Modiin Maccabim Reut

55B

Smiling House - Moriya Rockman

Modiin Regional Tourism Association

Spain - Tourism Board

125

Montenegro

137

SportsEvents / TicketnGo

Morocco - Ministry of Tourism

120

Sri Lanka - Jotun Holidays

135

Morocco Riads and Beyond

Sun D'or

101

Moshe Novomeisky Visitors Center, Dead Sea

110C

Sunorama

86B

Mount Hermon

SuperJet - Dubai

14+15

Moxi Tobon Services - Uzbekistan

Outdoor Exh.

Taiwan / Taipei Tourism Bureau

112

MSC Cruises

106

Tel Aviv Global & Tourism

Thessaly - Greece

National Library of Israel

87-88

Tourbo

Negev Development Authority

Tower of David Museum

87-88

Netanya Associaion for Tourism

104

Travel Hotels Chain

109

NexTravel

Tripheist

102

Norwegian Cruise Line

Turkey

117

Ortra Ltd

Business Lounge

TUS Airways

132C

Paapm Paapm

Uzbekistan

132A

Passport

110

Visit 2 Israel

PayCall

Visit Iceland

Philipines - Department of Tourism

131

Western Wall Jerusalem

87-88

Plaza Tours - Jordan

World Jewish Travel

Poland - Polish Tourism Organisation

Yad Vashem

Portugal

114

Zefat

Premium Travel - Monaco

Zikhron Ya'akov

57B

Pro Sky - France

99C

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