The Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Silvan Shalom and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin announced this week further concessions for tourists traveling from China. These include: any Chinese tourist holding a visa issued by the United States or the European Union will be eligible for a fast-track visa application for Israel and will not be required to present documentation when requesting a visa. In addition, changes can be submitted up to 24 hours before departure in the case of group visas.

These concessions join a list of others that have been granted in recent weeks, including, among others, fast-track visa application requests for tour groups and investigating the possibility of issuing a ten-year tourist visa, in an effort to encourage bi-lateral tourism between Israel and China.

Interior Minister Shalom recently returned from a visit to China, where he met with the Deputy Chinese Prime Minister and discussed ways to strengthen the connection between the two countries.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin has positioned China as a key target for Tourism Ministry activities and is taking significant steps to grow the number of incoming tourists from China. Among others, the minister has increased the marketing budget in the Tourism Ministry for China and worked with Hainan Airlines which will commence its operations in Israel in April 2016. In an initiative of the Tourism Ministry, the tourism industry is beginning to adapt the tourism infrastructure to the specific needs of the Chinese tourist, with visiting Chinese chefs giving master classes in Chinese cooking to Israeli chefs. The ministry also hosts leading Chinese opinion-formers and is in contact with Chinese companies interested in operating in Israel.

Interior Minister Silvan Shalom stated “Tourism from China is significant for both countries in many aspects, including its contribution to the economy and tourism in Israel, and is likely to contribute to bi-lateral relations.”

Levin added ” We see great potential in the incoming tourism market from China. The visa concessions that we are approving are one of many steps that we are taking to adapt the tourism industry to welcome Chinese tourists. I am convinced that these measures, together with the commencement of Hainan Airlines direct flights into Israel, will bring many additional Chinese tourists.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)