The Investment Committee in the Tourism Ministry has approved grants to establish 5 overnight campgrounds, with an additional 1,432 beds: Park Savir in the Central Aravah; Kibbutz Beit HaEmek in the Western Galil; Ein Zivan on the Golan Heights; Achuzat Hazan at Har Gilo and on the Spice Route in the Negev. The total investment stands at NIS 10,736,000, with the Tourism Ministry investment totaling just over NIS 2.5 million – about 20% of the grant. The Tourism Ministry encourages the establishment of overnight campgrounds in order to promote budget tourism – accessible and affordable to all.

In the Nature and Parks Authority 2015 report, 365,000 nights were recorded in campgrounds (about 1,000 per day) throughout the year. The report shows that the most popular camping lots were in the south of the country for Israelis (with about 100,000 nights), as well as Churshat Tal in the Galil and beach camping lots (about 70,000 nights each).

Last year, INPA improved the campgrounds and their infrastructure, with hot showers, BBQ areas and family picnic tables as well as the opportunity to rent tents, mattresses etc. under INPA supervision.

INPA also allowed for caravan parking in sites such as Eshkol Park, Yehudiya Parking Lot, and Churshat Tal. An additional five lots will be made suitable for caravan parking, including, among others, Ma’ayan Harod, Mekorot HaYarden and Sachne.

Background:

There are some 60 overnight campgrounds in Israel, of which 22 belong to INPA. The Tourism Ministry allocated about NIS 6 million in recent years to promote the camping and caravanning sector. The ministry identified the need of Israeli visitors and foreign tourists for better infrastructure related to camping and caravanning – and subsequently allocated budgets for improving cooking and shower facilities to high standards.

In 2014, the Director-General of the Tourism Ministry published a directive regarding grant allocations of up to 20% of the total investment for the construction of camping sites and caravan parks. This, in order to encourage the establishment of additional camping sites and caravan parks that will integrate into rural surroundings and offer a cheaper and greener alternative. The ministry received 16 requests from entrepreneurs for the grant. The entrepreneur is required to provide capital of up to 30% at least of the total required investment for the project. Each entrepreneur must develop the parking lot within three years from the time of receiving the approval. This, within the framework of the ministry’s activities designed to lower the cost of vacationing in Israel and expanding the supply and types of budget accommodation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)