Travel Good weather, holidays boost tourism in north; airport buzzes By Yair Ettinger, Eli Ashkenazi and Zohar Blumenkrantz
Head of Golan Tourism Association: Most guest houses and hotels booked to capacity over Simhat Torah.
Tags: Israel News , Galilee travel , Israel travel
Sukkot draws 150,000 visitors to JNF sites By Eli Ashkenazi
Most visits were to sites in the north, including Lake Hula, the Biriya forest and the forests of Mount Carmel.
Tags: JNF , Israel News , Israel travel
Is Israel the new hot destination for Japanese tourists? Haaretz Staff
Guide on Israel has become one of Japan's most popular travel books.
Tags: Israel News , Japan tourism , Israel tourism
Israeli hotels charge too much, says minister By Irit Rosenblum
Tourism Minister: Israel's hotels will have to lower prices to stay competitive and attract domestic tourism.
Tags: Israel News , tourism
Eilat looks forward in fear to end of Russia charter flights By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Hoteliers fear suspension of flights in wake of last week's bus accident.
Tags: bus crash , Eilat , Israel travel , Israel News
Palestinian Authority enjoys record incoming tourism by Haaretz Service
More than 1,000,000 tourists visited Bethlehem and Jericho during the first nine months of 2008.
Tags: Palestinian Authority , tourism
Delta to add four weekly flights from New York-Tel Aviv By Haaretz Service
The additional flights are part of a rising trend in incoming tourism to Israel.
Tags: New York , Israel travel , Delta Airlines
Ancient jewel, Hebrew text discovered during excavation By www.goisrael.com, Israel Antiquities Authority
The text is thought to be the most significant archaeological discovery in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Tags: evacuations , Israel attractions , Jerusalem
2008-A record year for tourism in Israel By Hannah Glass
Israeli tourism is on target for fulfilling the Tourism Ministry's prediction of 2.8 million visitors in 2008.
Tags: Ben Gurion International Airport
For Sukkot, Christian pilgrims keep Kinneret's tourism industry alive By Eli Ashkenazi and Irit Rosenblum
Some 70,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive during that week, 20 percent more than visited during last year's holiday season.
Tags: Israel News , tourism
Armed robot may patrol airport By Hannah Glass, Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondents
The vehicle is fitted with cameras and weapons systems, to replace the manned patrols that monitor the airport gate.
Tags: Ben-Gurion Airport , Israel travel
Korean Air to announce new Seoul-Tel Aviv nonstop line Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent
For the first time in a decade, the airline will operate flights between Ben-Gurion and South Korean capital.
Tags: Israel news , South Korea , Korean Air
Israel's El Al airline to cut fuel surcharge By Reuters
Despite last week's increase in the price of oil, fuel surcharge to be reduced by 20 to 30 percent on all flights.
Tags: Israel travel , oil , El Al Israel Airlines
Chinese government approves Israel as tourist destination By Hannah Glass
A major boost to the number of Chinese tourists visiting Israel is expected as a result of the announcement.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel tourism , China tourism
Beatles icon to perform for the first time ever in Israel By Hannah Glass, Haaretz Service
Following a series of unique one-off shows around the world, the time has come for Paul McCartney to rock Tel Aviv.
Tags: Israel attractions , Israel travel
Israir losing market share, stopping flights to New York By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Owners Nochi Dankner and Avi Fischer seem to be giving up on the dream to turn the airline into an a regular international carrier.
Tags: Israel , El Al
The Russians are coming! (Even more than the French) By Irit Rosenblum
Russian tourists top the list of European nationalities that have visited the country this year.
Tags: France , Russia tourism , Israel travel
U.S. Airways applies to open direct Philadelphia-Tel Aviv line The Associated Press and TheMarker Staff
If approved, daily 9,000 km flight would be longest route in the US Airways network.
Tags: Israel flights , U.S. Airways
C'est incroyable! Israelis gripe about French manners By Vered Lee
Hypocrites or not, many Israelis complain of the sometimes brash French tourists who swarm the country in Summer.
Tags: France , Tourism , Tel Aviv , Israel
Out of cash, fast-food Burger Ranch chain closes doors By Adi Dovrat and Ido Solomon, TheMarker Correspondents
One day after Paz Oil sues to appoint receiver, branches close and suppliers refuse deliveries.
Tags: Israel , Paz Oil , Burger Ranch
The smoke on the water grows thicker By Ben Shalev
While Morrissey, Bjork and Ian Brown suffer meager ticket sales in Israel, Deep Purple have sold out - twice
Tags: Israel concerts , Deep Purple
Population Authority: 5,000 tourists stay after visas expire annually By Shahar Ilan
Figure includes 90,000 people who entered Israel as tourists, 120,000 migrant workers without permits, 10,000 border infiltrators.
Tags: Israel , Absorption Ministry , Israel travel
El Al staff questioned over thefts at Ben-Gurion Airport Roni Singer-Heruti
All 11 employees at executive lounge confess to stealing expensive produce.
Tags: Ben-Gurion Airport , Israel travel , El Al
Capital's International Convention Center to get face lift By Ranit Nachum-Halevi
Blueprints include hotel, office and commercial space above a subway station.
Tags: Israel travel , Jerusalem convention center
Tourism Ministry launches new 24 hour telephone hotline for tourists By www.goisrael.com
The service will provide visitors to Israel with information, directions and assistance in emergencies.
Tags: information hotline , Israel attractions
Following Parisian track, Tel Aviv plans citywide bike rental points By Zafrir Rinat
Once Tel Aviv municipality picks tender winner, the bicycle rentals could start within a few months.
Tags: Paris , Israel , Tel Aviv , bicycle rental
Flying abroad this summer? Onboard meal may cost you Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent
El Al subsidiary Sun D'Or to begin charging passengers for meals this summer as fuel prices skyrocket.
Tags: fuel prices , Israel travel , Sun D'or , El Al
Price of vacations to jump mid-August By Irit Rosenblum
Over the holidays, religious Jews avoid taking vacations, but tend to holiday en masse after, creating the high season.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel attractions
El Al to increase ticket prices by 5% after July 14 By Zohar Blumenkranz, Haaretz Correspondent
Price hike, tenth since April 2007, will not apply to members to members of frequent flyer program.
Tags: oil , El Al , Israel , fuel surcharge
Israeli Baha'i sites recognized by UNESCO By Hannah Glass
Haifa and Acre holy sites join the Vatican and the Old City as cultural icons.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel attractions , UNESCO
Israel Chef Festival kicks off the summer season
Top Israeli chefs cook up a gastronomic storm catering for all palates.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel restaurants
Two years after war, Haifa reclaims status as tourist hot spot By Irit Rosenblum
Tourism is up 30% and hotel occupancy is outpacing the national average.
Tags: Second Lebanon War , Israel hotels
Israel, Italy sign air traffic deal paving way for lower fares Zohar Blumenkrantz
'Open skies' agreement allows for third Israeli airline to operate regular Rome, Milan flights.
Tags: El Al , Israel flights , Israel travel , Italy
Ten hurt in massive blaze at luxury Eilat hotel Revital Levy-Stein and Lior Dattel, Haaretz Correspondents
Fire burns Orchid Hotel's presidential villa to the ground; firefighting teams extinguish fire.
Tags: fire , Eilat hotels , Israel travel
Banquet halls sue Netanya for libel By Amit Ben-Aroya
Owners of banquet halls says they were unjustifiably hounded after 2001 Versailles wedding hall tragedy.
Tags: Versailles wedding hall , Jerusalem
Tourism Ministry to spend NIS 10 million on wooing Germans By Irit Rosenblum
German campaign aims to augment trend of German tourism, which has increased by 50 percent since beginning of 2008.
Tags: Israel , Germans , Tourism
Tourism to Israel breaks all-time record in May Haaretz Service
Tourism Ministry: Tourism to Israel on pace to receive 2.8 million visitors by end of 2008.
Tags: Kissufim , Israel , Tourism , Hotel
First kosher food festival - keeping kosher never tasted so good By Hannah Glass
Finally something for those of you out there who prefer to keep your milk and meat separate.
Tags: Israel restaurants , kosher food festival
Following in Jesus' footsteps By Hannah Glass
Relive history by retracing Jesus' journey through the scenic, unspoilt Galilee region in the north of the country.
Tags: Galilee , Israel travel , Israel attractions
Tourism beats the dollar: 2008 sees a 9% growth By Haaretz Service
The Israeli tourism industry continues to go from strength to strength despite the decline of the dollar and unstable financial market.
Tags: dollar , Israel attractions , tourism industry
Ministry of Tourism and Israel Hotels Association join forces www.goisrael.com
The Ministry of Tourism and the Israel Hotels Association allocate 1.35 million NIS to training courses for thousands of hotel employees.
Tags: Israel Hotels Association , Israel travel
Travel visa-free between Russia and Israel By Hannah Glass
New deal permitting visa-free travel between Israel and Russia to come into force this year.
Tags: Israel travel , visa , Israel attractions
Civil Aviation Authority threatens labor sanctions By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Strike affecting charter flights likely following labor dispute over work conditions.
Tags: Israel attractions , Civil Aviation Authority
Money running out for 60th events By Lior Dattel
Overspending of Israel's 60th birthday funds and evidence of mismanagement threatens remaining celebrations.
Tags: Israel attractions , Finance Ministry
Promote Israel tourism on YouTube and win two flights from U.S. www.goisrael.com
Government-sponsored comp asks entrants for videos on 'the best reason to visit Israel.'
Tags: YouTube , Tourism Ministry , Israel travel
El Al wins international award for frequent flyer scheme By Hannah Glass
Israel's national airline won award for its frequent flyer promo on flights to Israel from New York and Miami.
Tags: frequent flyer , El Al , Israel attractions
Moscow on the Dead Sea By Ranit Nahum-Halevy
Moscow municipality willing to invest $100 million to develop spa at Ein Bokek
Tags: Israel travel , Moscow , Dead Sea , spa
2007-the best year ever for U.S tourism to Israel www.goisrael.com
2008 sees tourism figures to Israel rise by almost 50%. This follows the highest number of American visitors to Israel in 2007 since the State's inception 60 years ago.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel attractions
El Al loses monopoly on flights to Israel By Zohar Blumenkrantz
New York route still up for grabs - Israir hopes its new Airbus will seal the deal.
Tags: flights , Israir , Israel travel , London
Prehistoric remains discovered in the Western Galilee By Hannah Glass
A stalactite cave containing prehistoric remains has been discovered during construction work of a sewage line in a Jewish National Fund forest in the Western Galilee.
Tags: Israel attractions , Israel travel
Israel draws Jerusalem By Hannah Glass
In honor of Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim), Israel's capital city presents 'Israel Draws Jerusalem', a large art display to be launched on June 1.
Tags: Jerusalem Day , Jerusalem , Israel attractions
Pensioners take charge By Hannah Glass
The Ministry of Tourism announced today, Thursday, the launch of a new group that will be responsible for supervising both the Old and New City of Jerusalem.
Tags: Jerusalem , Israel travel
Tourism Min. seeks to open Ben-Gurion Airport at night By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Tourism Ministry seeks to reverse ban on nighttime take-offs from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Tags: Israel travel , Tourism Ministry
Israeli cinema goes green with ecologically friendly festival By Hannah Glass
Cinemateques in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Sderot and Rosh Pina to screen films, host discussions, workshops and street theater.
Tags: events , Israel travel , Israel attractions
Batsheva Dance Company takes inspiration from Japan for new show
Israeli and Japanese artists co-create 'Furo', a dance show at the Tel Aviv Port.
Tags: Israel travel , Israel attractions
J'lem writers' conference offers breather from political turmoil By Shiri Lev-Ari
In a country as conflicted as Israel, hosting a group of highly respected authors from around the world who come to talk about literature and life is not a feat to be taken for granted.
Tags: writers' conference , Israel attractions
2,100-year-old Dead Sea scroll on display for two months only By Nadav Shragai
For the past 40 years, the 2,100-year-old Isaiah Scroll has been kept in a dark room with temperature and humidity controls, far from the public eye.
Tags: Isaiah Scroll , Israel attractions
Hail to the chief (and his massive cargo planes) By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Preparations for U.S. President George W. Bush's arrival in Israel this Wednesday have moved into high gear.
Tags: visit , Bush , Israel travel
Jacob's Ladder festival draws international musicians By Daphna Berman
The Jacob's Ladder music festival opens Thursday on the Kinneret celebrating Irish, bluegrass, country, folk and blues music.
Tags: Israel travel , Galilee , music
Ben-Gurion Airport busier than ever By Zohar Blumenkrantz
Passenger traffic increased by 11.5 percent between January and April 2008, but Histadrut threatens paralysing strike
Tags: Israel travel , Ben-Gurion Airport
De Niro's hotel hits Herzliya By Irit Rosenblum
Herzliya's Marina will host one of world's first Japanese-themed Nobu hotels, set up by Robert de Niro.
Tags: Israel travel , Nobu , Herzliya , Israel hotels
Jerusalem Zoo is Israel's number one tourist attraction By Jonathan Lis
Jerusalem set to expand Biblical Zoo, Israel's most popular tourist destination for three years in a row.
Tags: Israel attractions , tourism , Israel travel
Tourism Ministry plans for Galilee development Irit Rosenblum
NIS 2 million project to spur Druze and Circassian entrepreneurs to open guest houses.
Tags: Israel hotels , Druze villages , Galilee
General strike to pass over Ben-Gurion Irit Rosenblum
Ben-Gurion Airport will not participate in any general strike held after the Passover holiday.
Tags: Passover , strike , Israel travel
Jerusalem to expand Biblical Zoo Jonathan Lis
The Jerusalem Planning Committee yesterday approved plans to expand the city's Biblical Zoo, Israel's most popular tourist destination for three years running.
Tags: Jerusalem , Biblical Zoo , Israel travel
'Reverse exodus' into Sinai at Passover Zohar Blumenkrantz
50,000 people are expected to pass through the Taba border crossing into Egypt this Passover.
Tags: Israel travel , Sinai , Passover , exodus
Now we are free men - in Antalya Zohar Blumenkrantz and Irit Rosenblum
The leading outbound destination for Israelis during Passover is Turkey, with 400 departures from Ben-Gurion Airport.
Tags: Passover , Ben Gurion airport , Antalya
Best-selling authors to attend first writers meet in Jerusalem By Shiri Lev-Ari
Jewish-American writers Jonathan Safran Foer, Nicole Krauss and Nathan Englander guests in Jerusalem in May.
Tags: Israel travel , writers , Jerusalem
Tel Aviv documentary film festival tackles tough issues By Haaretz Staff and Reuters
Beyond political conflict, the DocAviv festival examines broader issues of strife and personal identity in Israel.
Tags: Israel attractions , Israel travel
Government to bankroll NIS 145m. bike lanes By Fadi Eyadat, Shahar Ilan and Zafrir Rinat
The government will allocate NIS 145 million by 2013 to develop cycle lanes across the country, the cabinet decided yesterday.
Tags: bike lanes , Israel travel
Tel Aviv goes dark as part of global 'Earth Hour' campaign
Yigal Hai, Haaretz Correspondent
Municipality joins worldwide protest by cutting electricity for an hour to raise awareness of global warming.
Tags: Tel Aviv , Earth Hour , Israel travel
Christian pilgrims flock to Jerusalem's Old City for Good Friday The Associated Press
Christians carry wooden crosses as they retrace Jesus' final steps; police out in force amid security fears.
Tags: Jerusalem , Christianity , Israel travel
Russia, Israel set to sign agreement eliminating visa requirement Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Mutual agreement allows Israeli, Russian nationals entry without visa; FMs to meet in T.A.
Tags: israel travel , russia , visa , tzipi livni
Tourism Ministry to kick off plan to make sites accessible to disabled Irit Rosenblum, Haaretz Correspondent
NIS 15 million project includes historical, religious sites including national parks and museums.
Tags: disabled , Israel , tourism , travel
Low-cost flights, soon coming to an airport here By Barr Hayoun
The fashion of cheap flights that has pervaded Europe over the past two years has begun to filter into the Israeli market.
Tags: a
Ben-Gurion Airport faces closure over noise nuisance to Moshav Bnei Atarot Zohar Blumenkrantz
While the furor at the Israel Airports Authority boils over, Ben-Gurion International Airport - the country's most important aviation hub - may be closed down today, if the residents of Bnei Atarot are not appeased.
Tags: a
For those sleeping at the airport Haaretz Editorial
Some 750 million people worldwide fly at least once a year, but their power as consumers has not been felt.
Tags: a
U.K. advertising watchdog nixes 'misleading' Israel tourist ad By Haaretz Service
Group ordered removal of magazine ad which implied that Qumran, situated in the West Bank, is in Israel.
Tags: Qumran , Advertising Standards Authority
Report: Settlement planned for Gush Katif evacuees likely to damage nature preserve By Zafrir Rinat
Area between Beit Shemesh and the Yatir hills is a 'biosphere region' in which most land is set aside for nature preserve.
Tags: Israekl travel , nature preserve
