Israel is reopening its doors to vaccinated tourists starting at the end of May, supported by the launch of a strategic campaign that ensures as many foreign tourist arrivals as possible in 2021. The announcement was made by Minister of Tourism Orit Farkash-Hacohen on Tuesday April 27, 2021 at a press conference held in Tel Aviv.
Farkash-Hacohen said, “Israel today is a world leader in safety and health, and we will make sure every potential tourist knows this when planning their summer or winter vacation. We cannot miss this opportunity – and, as minister of tourism, we won’t.”
As part of its global campaign, the Israel Ministry of Tourism will launch signs in three major cities of Dubai, London and New York, all of which combine the potential for inbound tourism and a high vaccination rate. The first sign will be put up in Dubai, both in English and Arabic, a historical step for both nations as it is the first time an Israeli campaign is being launched in the United Arab Emirates. Additional billboards will air in New York’s iconic Times Square and London’s famous Piccadilly Circus, with different designs but with a common message: Book your flight to Israel.
Minister further said, “Dubai has great tourism potential for Israel. The UK and the US have always been large markets for inbound tourism to Israel. I have no doubt, we will see many tourists from all three countries within a short period of time.”
In addition to the launch of the campaign, the Minister revealed additional steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism in preparation for the recommencement of tourism in 2021. The Ministry of Tourism is creating and promoting a number of large international events, each geared at keeping Israel in the hearts and minds of strategic groups of tourists. The annual Tel Aviv Pride Parade is likely to be the only event that will be held physically this year; a special Abraham Cycling Cup tour, in partnership with renowned philanthropist Sylvan Adams, which will see Israel and the UAE co-host the annual Tour of Dubai race, and an international music festival in the stunning views of the Timna Park are a few of the events that will be promoted.
Farkash-Hacohen also announced the ministry would reinstate a directive incentivising foreign airline to operate flights to the Ramon Airport located outside of Eilat. The incentive, which was in place before the COVID pandemic, is now being budgeted at a cap of NIS 25 Million, which will enable foreign carriers to receive financial incentives for every tourist they bring to Israel.
Before the spread of COVID-19 caused a nationwide shutdown in India, The Israel Ministry of Tourism’s India Office had started discussions with some of Indian commercial carriers to consider a new route to Israel – connecting Indian cities to the resort city of Eilat in southern Israel, known to the India market for MICE movements.
Sammy Yahia, Director of Tourism, India & Philippines, IMOT, said, “In recent years, Indian travellers have become familiar with the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and now we want to introduce them to the resort city of Eilat, on the shores Red Sea. Once international travel resumes from India, we are confident that Eilat will be a destination on the minds of the Indian travellers, so we want to make progress with potential flight routes when the demand comes.”
“Ensuring inbound tourism to Eilat is my obligation to the city’s residents, but this is also a clear statement to the entire tourism industry: we are preparing for the resumption of tourism on a large scale as soon as possible,” the Minister said.
Speaking about the technical details, the Minister explained Israel would open to a limited number of vaccinated groups at the end of May, before allowing an unlimited number of groups to enter a month later. The plan, as she explained, was that in the month of July, Israel would open to independent vaccinated travellers, without the need to be part of an organised group visit.
“I know there is some criticism, and I can even agree with some of it,” Farkash-Hacohen said, stressing the plan wasn’t perfect but it was needed to ensure Israel maintained its position as a healthy country and not risk its citizens. “We are gradually reopening tourism to Israel, to ensure we protect the health and wellbeing of all Israelis, while enabling those in the tourism sector to return to work and rebuild – and welcoming back the many people yearning to return.”
