The Binyamin Regional Council has launched two new initiatives to highlight the abundance of new tourist attractions and internationally accessible programs this Pesach. With a viral video showcasing some of the 36 activities available from visiting ancient Shiloh to swimming in the 9 springs and riding camels at Eretz Bereshis to visiting internationally acclaimed wineries and breathtaking hikes across multiple nature reserves. In recent months the increase of tourism to Yehuda and Shomron has made international headlines with talk of the over 200 hundred Bed and Breakfasts options available, fifty of which are just in the Binyamin Region, north of Jerusalem.

In recent years the YESHA Council together with the 6 regional councils and 13 local councils that it represents has hugely invested in telling its story to the world. Finding that the best way to explain the Israeli re-settlement of Yehuda and Shomron is to invite people on life changing visit of the area.

In the last five years tourism has increased significantly across Yehuda and Shomron. Tourism-related businesses have more than doubled. Fifteen new visitors’ centers have opened, all of which offer presentations in multiple international languages. The wine industry has also blossomed with over 20 boutique wineries, making internationally acclaimed wine.

An estimated 1.5 million tourists visit sites across Yehuda and Shomron annually. The major demographic are faith-based tourists, both Jewish and Christian, with a special interest in Judeo-Christian history. A record number of Biblical sites have recently initiated new and extremely high-quality audio-visual presentations in multiple languages, including Shiloh, Hebron and the Herodian, among others.

“This Pesach we are expecting a huge rise in tourism to the Binyamin region in particular and Judea and Samaria in general, because there is just so much more for people to do here. We are especially looking forward to welcoming all of our supporters from abroad that are visiting Israel for the holiday and understand the importance of visiting the Biblical heartland of Israel” Said Miri Maoz-Ovadia, spokesperson for the Binyamin Regional Council.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)