The Israel Ministry of Tourism allocates NIS 20 million to make tourist sites accessible for people with disabilities

18th April 2024 

The project, which will be implemented by the Israel Government Tourism Corporation during 2024-2025, is part of the ministry’s policy for the development of sustainable tourism. Tourist sites throughout the country will be made accessible for a wide range of  disabilities, including physical, cognitive and sensory (hearing and sight).

Israel Minister of Tourism Haim Katz: “We attach great importance to the accessibility of tourist sites to the general public and work to improve the tourist experience for the domestic and international visitor, so that they can enjoy the wide range of tourist sites available throughout the country, without restrictions and with maximum comfort. The budget that we are allocating to the local authorities will help make accessible dozens of sites, be they nature reserves, heritage, religion or history sites, museums and more.”

Jerusalem, April 11, 2024 - For the first time, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is allocating a budget of approximately NIS 20 million to local authorities for additions and improvements to accessibility at tourist sites throughout the country. The accessibility project will be carried out and managed by the Israel Government Tourism Corporation,  the implementation arm of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, as part of the ministry's policy to promote sustainable tourism, This, from the concept that making tourist sites accessible for the entire population, including people with disabilities, will improve the domestic and international tourist experience and will be available for everyone.

According to the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law (1998), there is an obligation to make accessible infrastructures, buildings and services. There are also regulations concerning accessibility to ancient sites, national parks, nature reserves and open spaces, which are managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority or the KKL. The Israel Ministry of Tourism is this year allocating a unique budget with the aim of helping local authorities to make accessible those tourist sites within their area, thereby ensuring that Israelis and tourists with disabilities can enjoy the various tourist sites and attractions that the State of Israel has to offer, without being excluded.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism  has invited each of the local authorities with relevant projects to submit up to two applications for assistance in financing the accessibility of the sites in their area. In addition, the authorities will be able to receive assistance from an accessibility consultant on behalf of the ministry, who will assist in preparing the applications, determining the accessibility components and formulating a cost estimate.

In order to select the relevant projects and sites that need accessibility, the ministry established a number of criteria, with the threshold condition that the ministry would be a partner in establishing the project. Other criteria to be examined include: the project’s contribution to the different types of disabilities (physical, cognitive and sensory accessibility); its contribution to attracting international and domestic tourism; the diversity of the tourist product, innovation and sustainability, ability to maintain the project and more.

Israel Government Tourism Corporation CEO Elad Erenfeld: “Making tourist sites accessible to people with disabilities is a national project whose goal is to ensure the equal participation of this public in Israeli society. This is one of the most important and exciting decisions that the Ministry of Tourism has made. The Israel Government Tourism Corporation which I lead will give priority to this important issue, while at the same time we will continue to work on developing tourist sites and infrastructure throughout Israel."

About Israel:

Whether road trips, city trips, swimming, wellness, active and cultural trips, rental car tours or family vacations, the Israeli State Tourist Office provides information about the various regions, cities, and sights in the Holy Land. Located in the eastern Mediterranean, Israel is no more than a seven-hour flight from India. The country offers a sunny climate, a wide variety of historical, archaeological, and religious sites, including houses several UNESCO World Heritage sites across the country, displaying an intriguing contrast between the ancient and modern periods.

Experience the dynamic vibe of Israel.
For information about the different tourism offerings, visit www.goisrael.in
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For more information reach out to us at info-israel@goisrael.gov.il or 022 61370700.