In accordance with the policies of Tourism Minister Yariv Levin to open new markets in the Far East, the Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi met with senior representatives of Air India about a year ago, when he presented the economic potential of opening a direct route with Tel Aviv. Air India is planning to open the New Delhi-Tel Aviv route with three weekly flights.

The Tourism Ministry published a directive in which airline companies that meet the criteria set out by the directive can receive a marketing grant of up to 250,000 euros a year for every weekly flight from destinations with high tourism potential but with no direct flights.

In the last year, there has been a 15% increase in incoming tourism from India. The Israel Government Tourist Office in India continues to promote campaigns that encourage tourism into Israel.

Tourism Minister Levin stated, “I was pleased to hear from the Chairman and MD of Air India Mr. Ashwani Lohani that, because of the efforts of the Tourism Ministry to bring the company’s operations to Israel, Air India has decided to open a direct route between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. There is no doubt that the opening of the route, combined with our marketing efforts in India, will generate a significant increase in incoming tourism from India. Air India Chairman Lohani was deeply impressed with his visit to Israel and, in his words, is convinced that the many Indian tourists who will visit Israel will find here an exceptional tourism destination.”

Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani responded “Air India is looking forward to the opening of the direct route to Israel in a few months’ time. I believe that this will have a positive effect on the tourism traffic between our two countries.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)