30% Increase in Incoming tourists over the passover period; The ministry of tourism prepares for the building of more hotels and the entry of leading international chains

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: "We Must Accelerate the Encouragement of Capital Investment in Tourism"

The Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as the Acting Minister of Tourism, instructed the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism Shaul Tzemach to increase efforts to encourage capital investment in the tourism industry in Israel and accelerate the building of additional hotel rooms to meet demand.

"In recent months, we have approved grants of about 150 million shekel and soon we will approve additional grants totaling 100 million shekel," said the Prime Minister, adding that the pace of investment should be increased in the tourism industry which is, in his words, "one of the most effective instigators for growth in the Israeli economy, with a direct and proven contribution to the GDP of 20 billion shekel in 2007 and an overall contribution of 40 billion shekel. The tourism industry today directly employs 95,000 workers and indirectly creates 180,000 jobs. "These clear advantages will help the government in the implementation of its programs to increase employment in the periphery," the Prime Minister added.
 
The Prime Minister expressed great satisfaction with the Ministry of Tourism statistics that approximately 80,000 tourists are expected to visit Israel during the upcoming Passover holiday – an increase of 30% compared to last year. The expected hotel occupancy over the holidays is impressive, standing at over 80%. Even higher occupancy is expected in Jerusalem and Eilat. The report also indicated that the Ministry's increased marketing efforts have borne fruit, with 2007 showing a 25% increase over 2006 and, in the first months of 2008, a significant increase of 51% in the number of incoming tourists over the same period last year.

During the pre-Passover meeting, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism reported to the Prime Minister that the Tourism Ministry has completed its special preparations in advance of the Passover holiday, with emphasis on the supervision and inspection arrangements that are designed to ensure an enjoyable and safe vacation for hundreds of thousands of tourists and visitors in hotels, tourism sites and attractions throughout Israel. The Tourism Information Offices in Jerusalem, Eilat, Ben Gurion Airport and Nazareth will operate as usual.

Tzemach noted to the Prime Minister that a significant increase in the number of incoming Christian tourists and pilgrims is expected over the holiday period, with hundreds of pilgrims flying in to Israel to participate in two holiday-eve marathons organized by the Ministry of Tourism, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and from Arad to Masada. During the Passover holiday, the public can enjoy the tens of new tourism sites where development and tourist infrastructure work has been recently completed, including the Clock Tower in Jaffa, Timna Lake and the night time opening hours at the site, a bicycle path encircling Agamon Lake in the Hula Valley and the preparation of observatory points.