The Knesset Tourism Lobby will discuss the importance of the tourism industry in Israel during a special meeting to be held under the slogan: “Recognizing the tourism and the hotel industry as industries of national priority.” During the meeting which took place on Monday, February 06, 2012, the Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov, Chairman of the Knesset Tourism Lobby in Israel, MK Ofir Akonis, members of the lobby and industry leaders such as President of the Association, Ami Federman, came together in their request to support the tourism industry and recognize it as an industry of national priority.

The discussion was initiated by the Knesset Tourism Lobby, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism. Among the major issues discussed was the focus on lowering prices on vacation package costs and promoting renovation, and upgrading of Israeli public tourist infrastructure as well as encouraging the construction of new hotels across the country.   In the annual work plan, the Minister of Tourism presented the lowering of vacation costs as one of the major issues that the office will focus on in the year 2012. The Ministry of Tourism initiated the establishment of the Commission to Lower Hotel Prices in Israel, headed by Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Noaz Bar Nir, in order to examine the factors related to the price of vacationing in Israel and ways in which these costs can be reduced. The committee, whose members include representatives of government ministries, academics, and officials from the tourism industry, will submit its recommendations at the end of next month.

In the year 2011, 3.4 million visitors arrived in Israel, out of which, 2.8 million where tourist entries – 1% increase from 2010, and a record high. In the year 2011 revenue from tourism was about 34.8 billion NIS, an increase of 2% compared to 2010. 200,000 people are employed in the tourism industry, which represents 7.5% out of the total amount employed in the market.   Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: “In recent years, tourism in Israel has become a rapidly growing industry, creating jobs, directly contributing to the national product and an important leverage in promoting Israel’s image. The task at hand is to continue the momentum in the industry, increase the demand for incoming tourism, build thousands of hotel rooms and enhance the tourism product. This way we will position the tourism industry in its rightful place, as an industry worthy of national priority, while creating tools to realize the potential of tourism to the economy and Israeli society.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)