Safe & Sound in Israel As a country beset by geo-political challenges, but with firm resolve to do what it must to ensure that daily life continues normally in a region beset by abnormality, Israel has implemented a wide variety of sophisticated, state-of-the-art security measures that have left most of the country - and certainly areas frequented by the average tourist - perfectly safe and secure. Security is tight at airports and other border crossings, supported by trained, courteous but single-minded staff and supported by a host of detection techniques. It is no secret that Ben Gurion International Airport, the major gateway to Israel, is considered the world’s most secure airport. The broad range of technological and individual surveillance and screening methods - some upfront, but mostly out of sight - direct questioning, searches and unabashed profiling may cause some minor inconveniences from time to time, but most tourists realize what all Israelis take in stride: there is nothing personal about the procedure, which has been streamlined in recent years, and it is for their own good. In a world challenged by terror in its many guises, Israel, paradoxically as it may sound, may well be one of the safest destinations your client could wish for, to visit and travel about. Staying in Israel An adequate pilgrimage program can be followed in one week (six/seven nights), although pilgrimages do range from five to 15 nights, or even longer. The itinerary should be planned around touring priorities, budget limitations and, needless to say, the religious traditions
and beliefs of the group. A visit to the model of the wilderness Tabernacle at Timna in the Negev Desert may be essential for certain Evangelical groups, while Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a must for Catholics. Other matters to take into consideration: make allowance for the length of your flight: trans-Atlantic flights or those from the Far East may justify a longer stay and a more relaxed pace. Check that everyone in the group has proper insurance for the trip. Some Israeli companies have become very proficient in designing special insurance policies for pilgrimage groups, and even very elderly participants can be insured. Also, take into account one free day per week for rest or individual pursuits. Most pilgrims undergo an intense emotional experience and absorb a great deal of information. A common request is simply for “time to think, reflect and absorb.” The length of a pilgrimage tour may be determined by a group’s special interest, which could lead to the addition of a number of extra days. A farming group may plan to combine a pilgrimage with an agricultural study tour. Music lovers may include one of the many secular or ecclesiastical music festivals in their touring program, or if they are a performing group, may even consider giving concerts during their stay. (The Israel Ministry of Tourism can help organize such events). Some groups may decide to combine the pilgrimage experience with regular touring and vacation time or as part of an incentive program, or even explore medical tourism opportunities in Israel, based on a medical infrastructure that is among the best in the world, at rates lower than in most Western countries. In any case, it is a good idea to take in at least a few of the “secular” sights. Israel is a colorful Mediterranean country that offers the visitor a myriad of holiday opportunities - beautiful
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