ITN - ISRAEL TRAVEL NEWS ONLINE - April 2024

Israel Travel News, an English language professional monthly publication focusing on incoming tourism to Israel.

№ ??? 〉 January 2019 № 442 〉 April 2024

April 2024

WELCOME TO IMTM 3-4 April EXPO Tel Aviv

04 06 Israel is the Fifth Happiest Country in the World Ksenia Kobiakov Director, Israeli Government Tourist Office in Germany: Welcome To ITB

16 Lectures, Conferences & Events IMTM 2024 Map IMTM 2024

20 Israel’s Low-Cost Terminal

at the Airport will Resume Operation

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CONTENTS April 2024

ISRAEL TRAVEL NEWS

Israel Tourism

Tourism is Returning to Israel

Israel is the Fifth Happiest Country in the World

New Developments in Israel Renovations & Reopenings

Germany, Austria and Switzerland are about to Renew their Tourism to Israel

Page 6

Lectures, Conferences & Events IMTM 2024

Hotels Drisco Hotel and George & John Restaurant

Map IMTM 2024

Since 1979

11 Gush Etzion St., Givat Shmuel 5403011, Israel Tel: 972-3-5251646 Fax: 972-3-5251605 office@itn.co.il | www.itn.co.il

A new hotel will be built in Israel: in the beautiful Village of Abu Gush With an Infinity Pool Facing the Sea of Galilee: Israel’s New hotel about to be Open

List of Main Exhibitors IMTM 2024

Founded by: Amos Kinamon (1925-1994) Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Eyal Shmueli Managing Director: Tal Shmueli

Aviation Israel’s Low-Cost Terminal at the Airport will Resume Operation Delta Air Lines to resume flights to Israel starting June After Five Months: Easy-Jet, the Low-Cost giant, Returned to Israel Passover Abroad: Over 1.2 million Passengers are Expected to Pass through Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in April

Editorial: Shy K. Segev Marketing: Rena Shay Graphic Designer: MaGat Layout: A.N. Computer Services Worldwide Circulation Canada

800

Europe

4,000 1,300 9,800 2,700 650

Israel

United Kingdom United States Rest of World

Total

19,250 67,000

Estimated readership

Digital copies - 35,000 distributed throughout the world

Page 28

2 • www.itn.co.il

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ISRAEL TOURISM

April 2024

TOURISM IS RETURNING TO ISRAEL

International airlines are returning to Israel: “We feel optimistic this will provide tourists the reassurance they can begin to rebook and resume their travel to Israel again”

F ollowing the announcement of the biggest airline companies about their return to Israel —the tourism industry is hopeful that visitation is starting to rebound. This comes on the heels of El Al confirming its new airlift from Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) to Tel Aviv next month, adding further hope for the return of American tourists to Israel. Israel is actively rebuilding and

welcoming visitors as several attractions have made their debut, reopened or completed extensive renovations. The Israel Ministry of Tourism continues to emphasize that Israel is welcoming visitors. “With the return of U.S. flights, we remain hopeful that tourism to Israel is showing signs of recovery,” says Eyal Carlin, North American commissioner for the Israel

Ministry of Tourism. “Initially, we have seen a significant number of faith based and solidarity trips. With the return of flights from the U.S., new hotels, major attractions and the reopening of key venues, we feel optimistic this will provide tourists the reassurance they can begin to rebook and resume their travel to Israel again”.

4 • www.itn.co.il

ISRAEL TOURISM

ISRAEL IS THE

IN THE WORLD HAPPIEST COUNTRY

The World Happiness Report: Israel is almost happy as Scandinavia countries, and people love to smile

T he World Happiness Report finds again the Nordic countries with the highest scores. The No. 1 country, Finland, has held onto its top ranking for seven years straight. The report draws on global survey data from people in more than 140 countries. Countries are ranked on happiness based on their average life evaluations over

Israel may come as a surprise at No. 5, although the country has been in the top 10 since 2022. The report’s authors point out that its rankings are based on a three-year average, which often mutes the effect of “cataclysmic events happening during a particular year.” And the timing of the survey obviously plays a role when there’s a crisis. The survey in

the three preceding years, in this case 2021 to 2023. The report is a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an editorial board. The survey asks each participant to score their life as a whole, considering what they value, said John Helliwell, emeritus professor

of economics at the Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia, and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report. The report looks at six key variables to help explain life evaluations: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption. Given the war with Hamas,

6 • www.itn.co.il

April 2024

Israel was conducted after the Hamas attack on October 7, but before much of the ensuing warfare. So while life evaluations fell sharply, those scores only accounted for a third of the average. The United States (No. 23) and Germany

(No. 24) dropped out of the top 20 in part because of a rise in happiness among other countries — especially Czechia (No. 18), Lithuania (No. 19) and Slovenia (No. 21). The United Kingdom was No. 20.

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At the bottom of the list Afghanistan remains the world’s lowest-ranked country for happiness. Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone and Congo also ranked at the bottom.

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Atlas Boutique Hotels: 40 years of the Finest and MostInteresting Accommodation Experiences in Israel

T he most recent hotel to join the chain of Atlas Boutique Hotels is the Backstage Hotel, built inside an historic theater which was converted into 48 beautiful rooms and spaces that tell the fascinating story of performing arts in Tel Aviv. The Backstage - which has immediately become one of the best and most talked- about locations in a city packed with hotels - is the result of our 40 years of experience in creating unique concept hotels at prime locations in Israel’s most important tourism cities – Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Eilat. Atlas Boutique Hotels are all situated at prime locations - whether it’s at the beating heart of the city, the marketplaces or the picturesque seaside neighborhoods in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, or a quiet but central location in Eilat near all the attractions and restaurants. Each hotel has its own unique concept, which draws inspiration from the building’s unique architecture, its history, or the surrounding area. Our concept hotels and boutique designer rooms are renowned

for their creativity, bringing to Israel a timeless and unprecedented accommodation concept. The unique accommodation design is complimented by our core strength and standout feature as a brand – which is our exceptional service and customer experience. It’s this commitment that has propelled our hotels to the highest rankings on Google and across all booking platforms. Whether you’re looking for an upbeat urban experience, a luxurious family vacation, high- standard business functionality or any other kind of getaway, one of our Atlas Hotels is the right fit for you.

8 • www.itn.co.il Phone 03-9207777 | Website: www.atlas.co.il

These are not just any other generic hotels: each of the 15 hotels in the Atlas chain offers a different style of accommodation experience, with unique design and character, in Israel’s tourism cities

ה מלון האחרון שהצטרף לרשימת מלונות הבוטיק של רשת אטלס הוא מלון הבקסטייג׳ שנבנה בתוך בניין חדרי אירוח 48 תיאטרון ישן שהוסב ל- וחללים מרכזיים יפהפיים המספרים את סיפורו המרתק של התיאטרון בעיר תל אביב. הבקסטייג׳, שמיד הפך למלון מהטובים והמדוברים בעיר רוויית מלונות, שנות ניסיון שצברה 40 הוא תוצאה של הרשת בהקמה של מלונות קונספט במיקומים שונים בערי התיירות החשובות בישראל, תל אביב, ירושלים ואילת, כאשר כל קונספט של כל מלון שואב את השראתו מהאדריכלות הייחודית, מההיסטוריה של המקום, או מהשכונה והסביבה בה הוא נוצר. מלונות הקונספט שלנו והחדרים המעוצבים, מפורסמים בזכות חשיבה

יצירתית שהביאה לישראל לראשונה, תפיסה מלונאית חדשנית על זמנית. מלונות הבוטיק של אטלס פרושים במיקומים מרכזיים בתל אביב ובירושלים, אם זה בלב הפועם של העיר, בפאתי השווקים והשכונות הציוריות, סמוך לחופי הים בתל אביב, או במיקום שקט אך מרכזי באילת, קרוב לכל האטרקציות והמסעדות. השילוב שבין אירוח בעל אופי ייחודי ושירות שאינו מתפשר, מאפשרים חיבור אותנטי עם העיר ועם האזור ויוצקים תוכן וסגנון לכל חופשה או שהייה. בין אם אתם מחפשים חוויה אורבנית תוססת, אירוח משפחתי עוטף, פונקציונליות עסקית בסטנדרט גבוה, או כל סוג אחר של אירוח, אתם יכולים למצוא את מלון אטלס שיתאים לכם.

ISRAEL TOURISM

April 2024

New Developments in ISRAEL

and garden include many biologically diverse plants, fruit trees, vegetables and medicinal herbs. The Almond Hotel, part of C-Hotels’ portfolio of properties, is a new, adults- only hideaway nestled in the mountains overlooking Jerusalem and the coastal plain. Boasting 60 spacious rooms, a spa with nine treatment rooms including a Turkish hammam, a chic restaurant and a rooftop pool, the Almond Hotel has ushered in a new era of hospitality and luxury. Israel’s new Tel Aviv Municipal LGBT Community Center, home to the Tel Aviv-Yafo’s gay community and the surrounding environs, has reopened after extensive renovations. Cradled within a neighborhood brimming with LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses, the new center offers dozens of programs for all ages and identities. addition of a shop, cafe and infrastructural upgrades. Other enhancements include improved accessibility within the citadel along with the unveiling of a new permanent exhibition in 10 galleries that incorporate innovative technology with interactive displays, archeological findings and ancient artifacts.

Municipality of Tel Aviv

A t the new 4-acre campus belonging to the National Library of Israel, adjacent to the Knesset in Jerusalem’s National District, tomes and physical works are kept in the central atrium abutting the main automated stacks, where a state-of-the-art

T he Tower of David at opened following an extensive and decade- long renovation. Included is the preservation of the ancient citadel, the minaret restoration, the reimagined archaeological garden, a new sunken multi-level entrance pavilion and the the Jerusalem Museum under the leadership of the Wadi Atir project, whose mission includes promoting sustainable dryland agriculture while leveraging traditional Bedouin values and experiences with contemporary science and technologies. The forest

robotic system retrieves requested items. The campus features several outdoor spaces, including an amphitheater and art installations. In the Negev, an edible forest

and community garden was recently unveiled

Renovations& Reopenings

10 • www.itn.co.il

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ISRAEL TOURISM

April 2024

In a significant move to rejuvenate tourism, Israel’s Tourism Minister, Haim Katz, made a compelling appeal to international travelers, reassuring them of the safety

and welcoming nature of Israel.

GERMANY, AUSTRIA and SWITZERLAND are about to Renew their Tourism to Israel

I n a significant move to Katz, made a compelling appeal to international travelers, reassuring them of the safety and welcoming nature of Israel. This assurance came during a press conference at ITB Berlin, where Minister Katz underscored his commitment to reviving the nation’s tourism sector, particularly urging the German government to reconsider the travel advisories for Israel set by the German Foreign Office. Highlighting Israel’s commitment to visitor rejuvenate tourism, Israel’s Tourism Minister, Haim

for the 150,000 residents evacuated from the Gaza Strip border area following attacks. These residents were housed in tourist hotels, a testament to the government’s confidence in the safety of these accommodations. This measure, Katz pointed out, wouldn’t have been considered if there were doubts about hotel security. Since then, about 80% of those displaced have returned to their homes, further indicating a return to stability in the region. Israel has traditionally been a favorite destination for tourists from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with these countries leading in the number of visitors to Israel. Ksenia Kobiakov, director of

Israel’s government office for tourism, shared statistics that paint a picture of Israel’s tourism landscape pre and post-pandemic. In 2019, Israel welcomed 402,000 visitors from these countries, a number that dipped to 207,500 in 2022 following global travel disruptions caused by the pandemic. The year 2023 started promisingly with 213,302 visitors until tourism was dramatically affected following the events of October 7. Before the pandemic, Israel saw an influx of 13,000 tourists daily, a number that dwindled to 23 the day after the October attacks. However, recent figures show a gradual recovery with daily arrivals fluctuating

between 2,700 and 3,400. Kobiakov expressed optimism for the future, hoping for a steady increase to approximately 9,000 to 10,000 daily visitors. This effort to boost tourism in Israel is not just about numbers but a testament to the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage, inviting visitors to explore its diverse landscapes and stories. With safety measures firmly in place and a warm welcome extended to international visitors, Israel aims to recapture its position as a premier destination for cultural and historical tourism.

safety, Minister Katz referred to the recent accommodations made

12 • www.itn.co.il

THE OLD CITY OF AKKO INVITES YOU TO DISCOVER ITS SECRETS ABOVEGROUND AND BELOW

Old Akko (Acre) is a port city situated on a peninsula on the Mediterranean coast in northern Israel. It is known for its well-preserved old city walls. A visit to this ancient city is an important part of the Holy Land experience and one of Israel’s main tourist destinations. Currently home to thousands of residents, Akko is a study of contrasts – the convergence of East and West, modernity and antiquity, beauty and ruins. Known for centuries as the gateway to the Holy Land due to its location as a port of entry for international dignitaries and trade, Akko provides a unique glimpse into the Crusader and Ottoman periods in the region. The subterranean crusader city was revealed and restored under the Ottoman city above. This extraordinary phenomenon was awarded World Heritage Site by UNESCO. POINTS OF INTEREST: The Knights’ Kingdom A 5,000-year old story unfolds inside the halls of the citadel - the museum’ displays and films projected on the walls tell the story of the crusades. During this tour, each visitor receives a headset, and can choose one of 10 different languages. The Hospitaller Fortress The Hospitaller Order, which thrived in Jerusalem during the First Crusader Kingdom (1099-1187) transferred its headquarters to Akko during the Second Crusader Kingdom (1191-1291). The

Hospitallers expanded their headquarters and rebuilt the site, which consisted of two to three floors around a central court as well as underground sections. The Templars Tunnel The Templars were a military-monastic order who – in the name of the pope – aided pilgrims and the ailing coming from Europe to visit the holy sites of the Land of Israel. MORE POINTS OF INTEREST: The colorful Market Street and Bazaars are the main thoroughfare of the Old City, running from north to south. One cannot visit the city without tasting the delicious dishes at the wonderful Chef Restaurants and paying a visit at the unique Boutique Hotels. A ferry from Akko to Haifa and from Haifa to Akko is a special experience that offers tourists the chance to enjoy the spectacular views of the cities by sea (times being subject to weather condition). There are Churches, Mosques and Synagogue in Old Akko. Some of them are opened to visits. The “Or Torah” Synagogue in the new city is a site worth seeing. So is the “Al Basha” Turkish Bath and the Seraya, a structure built during Turkish rule in Akko, in the late 18th century, where the offices of the civilian regime officials were located. It is also recommended to visit the galleries in the Old City and the “Okashi” Art Museum as well as the “Treasures in the Walls” Museum.

מופע מרהיב ברמה בין לאומית של אורות וצללים בחצר המצודה הצלבנית בעכו העתיקה עכו שלא הכרתם עד כה, חוויה רב חושית מלווה במוסיקה מקורית שתשאיר אתכם נפעמים. המופע יתקיים בשעות החשיכה, הוא מונגש 1/01/2025 לבוגרים ולילדים, תאריך היעד

OLD AKKO (ACRE) Akko is a city that has been shaped by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Ottomans and British, and fittingly is today home to brilliantly coexistent mixed population of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Druze and Baha’i. Akko is a study in contrasts - the convergence of east and west, modernity and antiquity, beauty and ruins.

For more information on the city of Old Akko: Phone: +972-4-9956-706/7 | www.akko.org.il/en/ Write to us: info@akko.org.il

IMTM 3-4 April EXPO Tel Aviv

LECTURES, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Wednesday, April 3

10:30-12:30 SUNDOR From EL AL

11:00-12:00 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev New Pathways in the World of Tourism: Innovative Insights From Researchers at the Department of Tourism and Leisure Management

10:00-10:30 IMTM 2024 Opening Ceremony

11:00-19:00 Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association Hackathon

Hall M Hebrew | Invitations Only

BC / Lobby Level English | Open to All

Hall F, Hall G, Hall H Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall I Hebrew | Open to All

12:00-13:15 Israel Ministry of Tourism The Day After is a New Day

13:30-14:30 Israel Association of Travel Agencies and Consultants

13:45-14:45 Israel Ministry of Tourism Tourism Revival Program in the Western Negev

12:30-14:00 Israel Hotel Association

Hall L English | Open to All

Hall M Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall I Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall L Hebrew | Open to All

15:00-16:00 Israel Ministry of Tourism Investing in Hotels During a Crisis: Opportunity or Downfall?

Hall L Hebrew | Open to All

Thursday, April 4

09:30-12:00 Israel Ministry of Tourism Final meeting – Guide counselors training to obtain tools and skills for advocacy on social media networks

10:00-13:30 The Annual Winter Meeting of Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association

14:00-16:00 Association of Domestic Travel Agents in Israel

15:30-19:00 The Association for Israeli Tour Guides Abroad

Hall I Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall L, Hall M Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall I Hebrew | Invitations Only

Hall L, Hall M Hebrew | Open to All

IMTM 3-4 April EXPO Tel Aviv

* Schedule subject to changes

14 • www.itn.co.il

IMTM 3-4 April EXPO Tel Aviv

VENUE FLOOR PLAN PAVILION 2

See you next year

16 • www.itn.co.il

IMTM 3-4 April EXPO Tel Aviv

Courtesy Of | באדיבות

Organized By | מארגנים

Sponsored By | בחסות

11 Gush Etzion St. Givat Shmuel 54030, Israel Tel: 972-3-5251646

94 Yigal Alon St. Tel Aviv 6109202, Israel Tel: 972-3-6384444

17 • www.itn.co.il

LIST OF MAIN EXHIBITORS

Exhibitor

Booth No.

Exhibitor

Booth No.

Abraham Hostels & Tours

Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association

Arava Regional Council

108

Israel is Beautiful

Arena Tickets

111

Israel Ministry of Tourism

Arkia

Israel Nature and Parks Authority

116

Ashdod Tourism

123

Israel Travel News

Business Lounge

Ayala Travel & Tours

Israir Airlines & Tourism

102

Azerbaijan

ITM

114

BIT2HUL.CO.IL

Jerusalem Development Authority

107

Carmelim - Zikhron Yaakov

Kalia - Tourism

112

Cyprus - Deputy Ministry of Tourism - Republic of Cyprus

Live Tickets

106A

Czech Republic Israel - Czech Chamber of Commerce

Lord Tickets

Eilat - Municipal Tourism Corporation

118

Mateh Yehuda Regional Council

100

El Salvador

Menashe Regional Council

EL AL Israeli Airlines

Moshe Novomeisky Visitors Center

129

E- pilgrim

Negev Tourism

108

Families of those who were abducted on October 7th

Netanya Association for Tourism

103

Farm to Table

Nextravel

Galil Tourism Association

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

101

Greece - National Tourism Organization

O-Car Ltd.

115

Habsor

108

Ortra Ltd.

Business Lounge

Havat Rom

120

Passport Card

Herzliya

77+78

Passport News

Hevel Eilot Regional Council

108

Red Bus City Tour

Bus

Hof Ashkelon

Romania - Ministry of Tourism

Israel Association of Travel Agencies and Consultants

Rubin Tourism

Bus

18 • www.itn.co.il

LIST OF MAIN EXHIBITORS

Exhibitor

Booth No.

Exhibitor

Booth No.

Sarah Tours France

Tamar Regional Council

108

shukabit.co.il

Tel Aviv Global & Tourism

106

Simple Profit

Tour Guides Association in Israel

Simplex

104

Vietnam 24/7

Sports Events 365

XSITE

Sri Lanka - Jotun Holidays

Yad Vashem

Sun D'or

Yalarent.com

124

Taiwan - Taipei Economic and Cultural office in Tel Aviv

Yofi Ethiopia Tours

Caesar Premier Hotels Israel

TIBERIAS / JERUSALEM / EILAT

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

www.caesarhotels.co.il

April 2024 AVIATION ISRAEL’S LOW-COST TERMINAL AT THE AIRPORT WILL RESUME OPERATIONS Terminal 1 to reopen

Terminal 1’s reopening, drawn by its lower fees of 11 USD per passenger versus Terminal 3’s 27 USD. Terminal 1 was closed shortly after the outbreak of the war, as most airlines grounded their flights to Israel and passenger footfall at Ben Gurion Airport plummeted. The Transportation Ministry was eager to reopen Terminal 1 as quickly as possible, but staffing issues and additional logistical challenges have prevented this. According to Airports Authority data, recent months have seen

after war-induced hiatus in bid bring back low-cost airlines and lower air travel prices B en Gurion Airport’s Terminal 1, designated for low-cost and Eilat flights, will reopen on June 1, the Transportation Ministry announced. The move is expected to bring back airlines, like Ryanair, that halted flights but promised to return upon

a steady increase in passengers traveling abroad, as well as a significant return of foreign international airlines to Ben Gurion Airport. The data indicates that over 60 international airlines operating at Ben Gurion Airport are

expected to fly to more than 100 destinations during the summer months. The daily passenger number in the summer is expected to reach about 70,000, compared to the current 35,000 passengers.

ISRAEL EXPERIENCE

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A variety of group & individual tours package Tailor-made tours starting from 2 persons Pilgrims (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) Theme tours — ecology, archeology, agriculture, arts, gastronomy, wine Discovery tours with extension to Jordan and Egypt — operated by our local suppliers We offer:

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20 • www.itn.co.il

AVIATION

April 2024

DELTA AIR LINES TO RESUME FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL STARTING JUNE

Delta planned to bring back its daily flights to Israel starting in June 7, following an extensive security risk assessment

D elta Air Lines announced its plans to resume direct flights from the United States to Israel, in June, becoming the second American carrier to do so since the October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on southern Israel. The direct flight from New York’s JFK International Airport on Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo

followed an initial return of United Airlines, who began flying in March from Newark to Tel Aviv with a layover in Germany. While United started slow with their flights to Tel Aviv, Delta planned to bring back its daily flights to Israel starting in June 7, following an extensive security risk assessment.

After Five Months: Easy-Jet, the Low-Cost Giant, Returned to Israel

The EasyJet airline resumed its flights to and from Israel, slashing ticket prices

A fter five months: the low-cost giant EasyJet resumed its flights to and from Israel. During April 2024, the company flies only to London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Basel and Milan. Flights to the other destinations should return this October. As mentioned, the airline stopped flying to Israel with the outbreak of the war and

was supposed to return about a week ago, but the date was postponed. Easy-Jet finally returned to Israel on March 25th, 2024. However, as months passed, while foreign airlines began trickling back, and gradually - the prices, which soared during that period, started to fall to more manageable levels. An analysis, by Israeli

website Secret Flights, shows that price differences for various destinations can reach down more than half – mostly thanks to East-Jet. Just one

example, price of a flight to Amsterdam before Easy-jet’s return: $610 (El Al). Price after Easy-jet’s return: $407. The difference: 34%.

22 • www.itn.co.il

It's one thing to say you love Israel; It's another thing to do something about it

Location & Staff 9.3

Ariela Schmida Doron General Manager, Jerusalem Gold Hotel We invite all Friends to come up to Jerusalem and... Stay in the Beautiful Jerusalem Gold Hotel

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Fax: 972-2-501-3344 | Website: www.jerusalemgold.com Across street to the NEW fast train station from & to Ben Gurion Airport 1-888-mygoldhotel (694-6534) or 972-2-501-3333

AVIATION

April 2024

Passover Abroad: Over 1.2 million Passengers are Expected to Pass through Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in April

The peak number of passengers expected to be on the eve of Passover, April 21. The figure is a 33% increase compared to March, but still far from the corresponding period last year

T he month of April is expected to be one of the peak months in Ben Gurion Airport since the seventh of October. More than 1.2 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport during the month, while during the Passover holiday a movement of approximately 60 thousand passengers per day is expected on the international flights. As expected, the peak day in Israel is expected to be on the eve of Passover, April 21. However, despite the encouraging data, the numbers are still very far from those of the corresponding

Transportation is advancing the estimates for an increase in passenger traffic and the return of international companies to and from Israel in air traffic. Together with the Airports Authority and the management of Ben Gurion Airport, we encourage the return of the international airlines that stopped their operations here since the beginning of the war. Our goal is to increase the offer of flights and destinations, thus creating competition that will lead to a reduction in ticket prices. I am happy to see that our efforts are bearing fruit and more airlines are returning to us for Passover”.

about 40% in the number of passengers. And where will the Israelis spend the coming Passover? Greece and Cyprus are at the top of the list with about 60 aircraft movements a day and about 1,840 flights during the month of April. Along with the two popular destinations, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Italy are also expected to be popular destinations among Israeli travelers this coming holiday. As a reminder, during the month of April, a number of prominent airlines are expected to return to Israel, including British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Air Canada and more. In accordance with the volume

of expected passengers, the Airports Authority has increased the number of employees in the field, operates kiosks for quick check-in and independent luggage delivery, added fast electronic check-in means to shorten the queues and special routes for hand luggage holders only, and expanded the set of shuttles to transport passengers between the terminals and the parking lots . Passengers are requested to check in from home and arrive at the airport three hours before the flight. The Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brigadier General (ret.) Miri Regev said: “Although the fighting in Gaza and the northern border still continues, the Ministry of

period last year, which represent a decrease of

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decisions with Israel’s resources and marketed Israel in the right way. Can more be done? Absolutely. The PR we have outside is not where it needs to be.”

“In our hotels, you will experience local Israeli flavor at the highest level,” he said. “For Israel, this is the best service that you are going to get.”

BSR Tower #2, 4 th Fl. 1, Ben Gurion Rd. Bnei Brak 5120149 Israel Tel: +972 37610713 | Cell: +972 54 4321334 Fax: +972 50 8960049 | Email: israel@ofakimtc.co.il

Israel Travel News • 53

Situated at the entrance to the town of Arad and just a 25-minute drive from the Dead Sea, the Inbar Hotel has 100 modern rooms with cable T.V, complimentary safety deposit box and air conditioning. The hotel also has an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna. Arad,located in the Negev Desert in the southeast of Israel,is 600 meters above sea level and is blessed with a refreshingly arid,healthy climate.Because of its close proximity to the Dead Sea,the Inbar Hotel is an ideal starting point for organized tours and desert trips throughout the Negev. Other major tourist sites, such as Masada, the Ein Gedi Nature reserve, Tel Arad, Sussia, Sodom Mountain and Ein Bokek, are all within close driving distance of the hotel and easily accessible. The hotel’s reservations center will be happy to assist in organizing tours and desert jeep trips as well as providing information on any other outdoor activities.

38 Yehuda St., Arad 89109 Israel | Tel. for reservations: 972-8-9973303 E-mail: inbar_hotel@bezeqint.net Website: www.hotel-inbar.com

הפתיחה בקרוב!

חדש בכותל המערבי! מיצג שער השמים מה סודו של הכותל המערבי? איך יכולות אבנים עתיקות לגעת בלב של כולנו? מדוע התרגשו כל כך הצנחנים כששחררו את הכותל במלחמת ששת הימים? אנו מזמינים אתכם לצפות במיצג חדש ומרגש אל מול אבני הכותל המערבי העתיקות! ולבוא לפגוש בירושלים כמו שלא פגשתם מעולם. המיצג מבוסס על טכנולוגיה חדשנית בהקרנה תלת- ממדית ייחודית (הולוגרמה) בסיומו מחכה למבקרים הפתעה מרגשת ומפעימה 2000 שמונה דקות עוצרות נשימה שמקפלות שנות געגוע אתר חובה הפותח צוהר להיסטוריה של המקדש סמל התקווה של העם היהוד | ושל הכותל המערבי בית מורשת הכותל המערבי מיקום המיצג: ■ הסיור בתשלום ובתיאום מראש בלבד ■

מנהרות הכותל- חדש ! מסלול הגשר הגדול מסלול סיור תת קרקעי במפלס הקדום של ימי הבית השני באתר הייחודי נחשפים המבקרים לצפונותיה של ירושלים למסלול מתחת העתיקה הטמונות במעבה האדמה מנהרות הכותל הקלאסי. המסלול כולל: ירידה לחדרים תת-קרקעיים בתוך מבנה הגשר הגדול ■ מימי הבית השני ששימשו את “השמנה וסלתה” של הגעה לרחוב השוק המרכזי ■ ירושלים לפני אלפי שנים מפגש עם נדבכי הכותל ■ של ירושלים בימי המקדש המערבי שנתגלו מתחת למפלס רחבת הכותל לאחר כניסה לדגם מרהיב של הר הבית והמקדש ■ שנים 1,600 ביקור בקומת המקוואות המפוארת ששימשה את באי ■ המקדש ועוד כשעה ורבע משך הסיור: סיורים בעיר העתיקה וברחבי ירושלים ירושלים היא תמצית סיפורנו כעם וכחברה. המהלך בה כמהלך בספר היסטוריה “חי ונושם”. אנו מציעים אינספור סיורים חווייתיים בעיר ובאתריה בנושאים שונים וסביב מועדי השנה. נשמח להתאים עבורך סיור בהתאם לאופי הקבוצה ולנושא המבוקש. ימי ■ סיורי חנוכיות ■ סיורי סליחות ■ מה אנו מציעים? גיבוש לצוותי עבודה/משפחות בירושלים, כולל הכל! ‘נקודות ציון’- מירוץ ניווטים תחרותי הכולל טעימות ■ סיורים ליום הבר/בת -מצווה ■ בשוק מחנה יהודה! VIP ירושלים בהקדשה אישית - סיורים בהדרכת ■ לרגל יום הולדת, יום נישואין, לקראת החופה, כהכנה לבר/בת מצווה ועוד

מבט אל העבר בית המקדש השני בתלת ממד! לראשונה בישראל! הזדמנות לבקר בבית המקדש )VR( מציאות מדומה השני בטכנולוגיה מתקדמת של בתלת-ממד. כל מילה נוספת מיותרת! °360 ובחוויית דק’ 15 - כ משך החוויה:

מנהרות הכותל- מסלול האבן הגדולה (קלאסי) סיור מרתק במנהרה תת-קרקעית לאורכו של הכותל המערבי הסמוי מן העין הסיור כולל צפייה בסרטונים, מצגות חדשניות, נגיעה באבן הגדולה ביותר בכותל המערבי, בנקודה הסמוכה לקודש הקודשים, הליכה בתעלת המים החשמונאית ועוד. במהלך השנים האחרונות התפתח האתר ותשתיותיו שודרגו באופן משמעותי – כולל שימור המבנה ההיסטורי “בית שטראוס” שבו ממוקם לובי הכניסה החדש. כשעה ורבע משך הסיור:

אתרי מנהרות הכותל חוויה ירושלמית עם ערך מוסף

מרכז שרשרת החדש! הדורות

אנו שמחים להשיק את מרכז שרשרת הדורות החדש! באתר שולבו טכנולוגיות מתקדמות של הקרנת וידאו, מיצגים מרשימים, קטעי שירה ומוסיקה מרגשים ועוד. את המסע (הסיור המודרך), העובר בשמונה חללים תת-קרקעיים עתיקים, מלווה דמותו של אביתר בנאי תוך שזירה של סיפורו המשפחתי ושל שיריו המרגשים אנו מזמינים אתכם לחוות את שרשרת הדורות היהודית המושתת על ערכים, חזון ומורשת עשירים ולהתרגש מ- שנות היסטוריה שעל פניהן נחלוף בתוך פחות 3,000 משעה. חשוב! גרסת הסיור לתיירים בשפה האנגלית שונה מהגרסה העברית בכדי להתאימה לקהל היעד. דק’ 45 - כ משך הביקור:

*5958 : להזמנות www.thekotel.org

HOTELS

DRISCO HOTEL AND GEORGE & JOHN RESTAURANT JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE ORGANIZATION OF RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX

Relais & Châteaux gathers over 580 properties, 80 hotels and 340 Michelin stars in 65 countries around the world

T he Drisco, the prestigious hotel located in the heart of the American Colony in Tel-Aviv, and the George & John restaurant, are the first in Tel-Aviv to join the global organization Relais & Châteaux, in which hotels, unique hospitality properties, luxury restaurants and 340 Michelin stars around the world, are members. Relais & Châteaux was founded in 1954, and since

its foundation the organization promotes a large number of luxury hospitality properties and culinary traditions, enhancing their prosperity, and acts for the preservation of local heritage and surroundings of each property. Each year, more than 500 requests to join Relais & Châteaux are submitted, less than 2% of them actually get to join the prestigious organization. The Drisco is situated at the

heart of the American Colony in Tel-Aviv and includes 42 rooms and suites decorated to reflect the magnificent history of the hotel, first opened in 1866. In the hotel there are original murals from the year 1925, a bar, a rooftop facing the beaches of Tel-Aviv, a gym, rooms for indulging spa treatments, a nurtured garden etc. The accommodation in the hotel includes an elite culinary

experience at the George & John restaurant, led by Chef Tomer Tal, which was graded among the 50 best restaurants in the Middle East, according to “50 BEST” (2022-2024). Chef Tal and the restaurant are also in charge of the breakfast served to hotel guests, including a varied and rich buffet with home-made delicacies and main courses reflecting the area’s production.

28 • www.itn.co.il

April 2024

A NEW HOTEL WILL BE BUILT IN ISRAEL: IN THE BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE OF ABU GUSH In the tender of the Israel Land Authority in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, a winner named Tomer H. was selected

T he first 120-room hotel will be built in the beautiful village of Abu Gush, near Jerusalem, after a tender by the Israel Land Authority in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism selected a winner named Tomer H. Tourism Properties Ltd. Seven bids were submitted for the tender, The Ministry of Tourism says that the winner, which bid five times the minimum price in the tender, indicates that this is an attractive area for tourism and has great economic potential. Minister of Tourism Haim Katz: “The Ministry of Tourism under my leadership is working to diversify and increase the supply of guest rooms throughout the country and especially in tourist centers such as Jerusalem and its surroundings. The new hotel will contribute to the development of the tourist infrastructure in Abu Gush, connect visitors to the local

Image: Geo-Bengur Architects

culture and encourage tourism in the area”. The lot marketed in this tender is intended for hotels as part of the “Abu Gush-Tigrat Complex” program located on the western side of the settlement, in

the area bounded by Peace Road (Route 425), corner of Abdel Rahman Street and covers approximately 27 dunams. The lot is part of a complex for public buildings and hotels in the British police complex (Hatgart) and its surroundings. The complex includes an area of approximately 14,800 square meters for tourism and recreation with approximately 120 hotel rooms, which includes two buildings designated for preservation, the British Police Citadel (the Tygart) and the villa building. These buildings are a significant historical landmark in the area’s heritage and a hotel will be built next to them New; to the north of the hotel lot is an additional area of about 4 dunams intended for the council building and part of it for commerce.

Image: Geo-Bengur Architects

29 • www.itn.co.il

HOTELS

April 2024

WITH AN INFINITY POOL FACING THE SEA OF GALILEE: ISRAEL’S NEW HOTEL ABOUT TO BE OPEN

Among the expected indulgences there are 276 rooms, of which 18 are suites, an amphitheater, an infinity pool, a spa that includes a gym and more

A t the height of tensions in the north of Israel, a new hotel is expected to open in the coming weeks in Israel. The hotel is expected to be built under the Nevel David hotel chain, a new chain that was established and is being launched these days, and includes the Nevel David Galil Resort hotel in Kinneret and the Ramada Netanya hotel. More hotels are planned to be built in the future.

region. The hotel was architecturally designed to grow out of the ground and is built in the familiar form of David’s harp and is a reminder of an ancient local history. Nevel David Galil Resort has 276 guest rooms at various levels, including 18 suites, two of which are presidential, alongside a lobby restaurant, a business lounge, halls of various sizes for events and

conferences, and meeting rooms. Alsp is expected: an amphitheater that will host artists’ performances in the future, an infinity pool overlooking the Sea of Galilee, heated in the fall and spring, and of course a spa that combines a gym with jogging and cycling tracks.

The new hotel, “Nevel David Galil Resort”, which is currently located in the northwest of the Sea of Galilee, is expected to open during the month of April and will include, among other things, an infinity pool that overlooks the Sea of Galilee in Kfar Nahum. The view from the hotel also overlooks the Golan Mountains and the Galilee Mountains and is surrounded by streams and lush vegetation unique to the

30 • www.itn.co.il

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