Dr. Uzi Landau, Israel's Minister of Tourism
Cris David & Hailey Grossman, Insight Vacations
El Al's Jacob Mazgaonkar with Idit Papular of Aufgang Travel; Dinah Kutner of El Al; Batia Lapid of Tic Toc Tours; Debbi Aharon of Aufgang and Sandy Wolpin of Peerless Travel
Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands chatting with the Minister
It can’t be the easiest job in the world. Just when your country is enjoying record breaking tourism stats, it yet again makes the front pages – for all the wrong reasons.
Such was the case this year with Israel, which was enjoying its best ever year for the 1st 6 months of 2014, interrupted by grave hostilities this past summer. What’s a minister of tourism to do?
If you are Israel’s Dr. Uzi Landau, you continue to believe the glass is 1/2 full. At a reception for some 75 travel trade and the media this week, he was very open about the events of last July and August, usually the country’s peak tourism season. “Tourism dropped some 35% - but then that means we had 65% who still kept coming. Because Israel is different. Israel is special. Israel is Israel.”
The country is continuing to promote itself as a country not just for pilgrims. “We have something for foodies, we have opera and symphony, street theatre and rock festivals,” Landau said. “Israel is a great destination for the sophisticated traveller.”
He was also careful to point out how safe Israel is, stating that El Al is the safest airline in the world and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is the safest airport in the world, and that “the safest place for an Arab in the Middle East is actually Israel.”
And the country is definitely on the rebound. According to Debbi Aharon of Israel specialist agency Aufgang Travel in Richmond Hill, “Each time the ‘recovery time’ is shorter and shorter. I’m busy again and the winter months are very active.”
To provide additional momentum, the Israel Government Tourist Office in Toronto is planning a series of affordable FAMs for agents. “The tourist office here in Canada has big plans,” said Landau. “Remember that a trip to Israel is not just a wonderful vacation but a statement about our shared hopes for democracy.”
