Chalo Israel - SKAL International & Israel Ministry of Tourism

When:  12PM

              Friday 03 July, 2020

Where: Zoom

              Facebook

Easter in the Holy City

Virtual Israel Series

As we approach the summer with most of us in continued isolation, the Israel Ministry of Tourism invites you to take a journey to some of the most beautiful sites in the world.  Transport yourselves to the streets of Tel Aviv, beaches of Eilat or the historical walled city of Jerusalem from the comfort of your home. 

Filled with little wonders, the city of Jerusalem is at the crossroads of the world tastefully intertwining the 21^st century with the remnants of the past.  A city with an illustrious history that links to dynamic modern living, Jerusalem beckons you to discover her magic while mesmerizing with her charm.

In Christianity, the week that precedes Easter is regarded as Holy Week which includes important Services held on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.  Celebrations for Holy Week will be live streamed from Jerusalem for parishioners from all over the world that wish to attend. 

Holy Thursday - April 9th: 8:00 PM (India ST)

Good Friday- April 10th: 5:30 PM (India ST)

Holy Saturday - April 11th: 10:30 PM (India ST)

Easter Sunday- April 12th: 2:00 PM (India ST)

Sites where you can attend service:

Christian Media Center

Facebook:

Custodia TerræSanctæ

Christian Media Center

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

To explore the city of Jerusalem, click here

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/pxEAbF

Photo Credit: Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/pcg57L

Photo Credit: Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/ooJb1b

Photo Credit: Noam Chen for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

The Resort City of Eilat in Israel is Travel Goals for 2020!

The locals refer to it as the most cosmopolitan city in Israel, Israelis who live in the northern parts of Israel see it as the prefect city for holidays and shopping. Tourists sees it as an eternal sunshine city. The truth is that in Eilat, everyone can find what they are looking for. The southern tax free city of Israel located on the Red Sea offers a winning combination of sea and desert, and most importantly – ideal weather all year long and water temperature of 21C in the winters! Looking for fun in the sun? Here are a few suggestions you don’t want to miss.

Hiking in the Red Canyon: About 20 kilometers north of Eilat and at 700 meters above sea level, you will find the stunning Red Canyon, named after its reddish-colored walls. The trails are set in between the red sandstone walls, that vary in color, shape and size. The twists and turns of the trails also include a visit to a second creek and spectacular waterfalls that flow along the way. Highly recommended for families and hiking enthusiasts.

Bicycle Hike in Timna Park: Bicycle enthusiasts will be delighted to discover this mountainous park, which features a 14-km bicycle trail for the entire family. Along the trail, some spectacular vantage points await you, the most magical of them being the hidden lake, which is among the steep cliffs of the park. Tourists can come by bicycle or rent a bicycle in the park. We recommend stopping by the lake and sitting in one of the lovely restaurants around.

Coral snorkeling: Eilat beaches are a favorite among divers from Israel and all over the world. The waters are clear, the beaches are regulated and one will discover a breathtaking world of fish, coral in a variety of forms, and rocky ground that serves as a fertile cushion for marine animals of various types. The Coral Coast, located on the southern shores of Eilat, is a nature reserve in itself. It is the only reef in Israel that is recognized as a national treasure.

Swimming with Dolphins: For 30 years, the Dolphin Reef in Eilat has been considered one of the most unique attractions in Israel and around the world. The ecological site is not only a natural habitat for dolphins but is also an adventurous destination for divers and families who want to enjoy daily recreation that includes guided dolphin swimming, petting and watching dolphins being fed and taken care of.

Shopping around the city: No visit to the city of Eilat ends with empty hands. That's because the prices are much cheaper compared to other parts of Israel (17% VAT exempt). The spacious shopping malls and shops spread all over the promenade - all complement the city's travel experience. Israelis are familiar with the abundance of shops in Eilat, and many come there to indulge in a new smartphone or the latest fashion items at super cheap prices.

Day trip to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem: While tourists mainly visit sunny Eilat during the winter months, many also take the opportunity to travel north to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. These two sites are major tourist attractions in their own right. The Dead Sea (called "Sea of Salt" in Hebrew), the lowest place on earth, attracts tourist for health and healing purposes and Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is known for historical sites, markets and holy places for the world's three major monotheistic religions.

A very festive winter: During the up-coming winter season Eilat is planning to host 35 international festivals between November 2019 and April 2020. Some of festivals already in the works include "desert ashram" and "Eilat desert marathon" in November, international Instagram festival and international guitar festival in January; A chamber music festival, wine festival, jazz festival and street theater in February; Electronic music festival, international graffiti festival, bird watching festival and Eilat food festival in March. A very busy winter indeed!

For more info please visit Eilat official website: https://eilat.city/en

This World Tourism Day, how about an eco-friendly vacation in Israel?

Eco Tourism is progressively making a mark in Israel as tourists are flocking to the ancient civilisation to relish its bountiful natural retreats. Whether it is about staying in a converted eco-bus, being an eco-volunteer or enjoying a technology free, organic B&B offering alternative therapies, one can find a plethora of green tourism options in Israel

·         Collective and cooperative communities like kibbutz and moshav practice organic farming, recycling and host programs in eco-tourism. Enjoy eco-study, eco-hikes, meditation, relaxation, natural therapies and healthy cuisine in tandem with the chance to live with these communities

·         Ditch the luxury hotels and stay in exciting eco-friendly accommodation and Bedouin-style tents; Cabins in the Mist in the Golan Heights offer hand-built, 'technology free' wooden cabins surrounded by organic cherry orchards while Succah in the Desert near the world’s largest natural erosion crater - Makhtesh Ramon, offers biblical-style guest huts with solar-powered lighting

·         Facing the 'Golan Heights' and snowy slopes of Mount Hermon and located in a Nature Reserve filled with springs, rivulets and the Rivers Dan, Hatzbani and Banias, the Kibbutz Hotel has embraced eco-tourism in greening through nature preservation, alongside recycling, energy-saving measures and environment-friendly systems. Its 204 rooms include the "Koren Stream House" rooms with soothing sounds and views of the flowing Koren stream nearby

·         Israel is known for its 'desert tourism' experience in a Bedouin desert camp in the heart of the Negev desert. Immerse yourself in native Bedouin hospitality where guests are treated like local royalty with delicious Bedouin meals, fun camel rides and overnight stay in traditional Bedouin tents

·         The first leg of an 80-mile Sea of Galilee Mountain Bike Trail was recently unveiled providing free access to the nature reserves and beaches surrounding the area wherein travellers can rent mountain bicycles with helmets and receive guidance from the trail's professional bikers

·         Swim with the dolphins in their natural habitat at the Dolphin Reef in Eilat where swimmers are escorted in small groups without boats or propeller vehicles creating a genuine immersive experience whilst protecting the mammal’s freedom without being intrusive

·         Enjoy a scenic hike to Ein Avdat valley surrounded by canyons, springs and white limestone mountains and descend into the Arava Valley via the Scorpion Trail, one of Israel’s most spectacular scenic roads

·         3 million years old and the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea in Israel is one of the saltiest water bodies on the planet creating the bucket list experience of floating. Considered as the world’s largest natural spa, double dip in the mineral-packed waters, slather therapeutic mud, soak in the healing sun and enjoy one of the best wellness experiences in the world

From North to South and East to West, Israel is the Land of Adventure

Tourists are taking notice of Israel’s diverse landscape and the adventurous activities it offers

Beyond Israel’s most popular tourist attractions – such as Jerusal

em’s Old City, the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv’s White City – the diverse country has lush forests to the north and a vibrant desert to the south, offering ample opportunities for adventure travelers to explore. Whether visitors are looking to rappel off an arch into a great and beautiful abyss, hike cross country or swim among the dolphins, adventure tourism in Israel is booming.

Spanning only 263 miles, adventure-seekers will appreciate Israel’s offerings for adventurers of every level and interest, whether they are traveling north, south, east or west.

In the North

·         Rappelling at Keshet Cave: Keshet Cave, one of the lesser known rappelling sites in Israel, offers a beautiful view of Israel from the highest point in the Western Galilee, with a vista that extends to the Mediterranean Sea, Akko, Haifa and the entire Galilee. Travelers will rappel off the high natural stone arch through the air and down 130 – 165 feet with an amazing panoramic view.   

·         Skiing in Golan Heights: Israel isn’t known for having snow, but during the winter months, avid skiers have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite sport and jump slopes at the Mount Hermon Ski Resort in the Golan Heights. Mount Hermon has 14 ski runs and 5 chair lifts attracting about 300,000 visitors between January and March.

·         Bird Watching: Bird-watching enthusiasts will love this nature reserve, as 500 million migrating birds pass through Hula Valley Nature Reserve wetlands each year. In the springtime you can find more than 390 different species of birds passing through and stopping in this valley, which truly makes for a magical site to see.

·         Hot air balloon ride - If adrenaline isn’t calling out to you, enjoy a leisurely Hot Air Balloon ride in the Jazreel Valley as you watch the sun rise over the horizon with champagne breakfast

In the South

·         Sand Boarding: With a significant part of Israel being covered by desert, travelers can jeep across the dunes in the Negev Desert. Throughout the area are a variety of clear and suitable sand dunes that are perfect for sand surfing.

·         Swimming with Dolphins: The famous Dolphin Reef in Eilat is an ecological site that is a natural habitat for dolphins, allowing animal-lovers to get up close and swim along with the dolphins as they enjoy the beautiful coral reef.

·         Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, Eilat’s coral reef is one of Israel’s most popular areas for snorkeling and scuba diving. Home to over 250 coral species and more than 1,200 fish species, travelers can expect to see a variety of turtles, rays, butterfly fish, parrotfish, octopus, lionfish and more. Perfect for families with kids, the Underwater Observatory Park allows visitors to explore its marine life 40 feet below the surface with two submerged observation decks.

·         Tandem skydiving - Enjoy a birds’ eye view of the Mediterranean, Dead or Red Sea when you go skydiving in Israel

·         Rapelling on the cliffs of the world’s largest natural crater - The Ramon Crater in Israel’s Negev Desert is the world’s largest natural erosion crater or makhtesh. Go rappelling on the cliffs of the crater, camel ride or horseback ride along its rim or hop on a jeep tour and head to Bio Ramon, home to 40 species of desert wildlife. Sleep beneath the stars at the only campsite in the makhtesh, Be’erot campground, to experience Bedouin hospitality in its true spirit

Cross-Country

·         Hiking the Israel National Trail: Covering Israel from top to bottom, hikers will traverse a wide range of landscapes as they trek roughly 683 miles from north to south and east to west. From the green hills of the Galilee to the orange desert in the Negev, backpackers will enjoy all the beauty Israel has to offer. Wadis are magnets for hikers and bikers alike and canyons are ideal for wild ibex and gazelle sightings. Alternatively, cycle on the Dead Sea shore or the Nahal Pratzim River Valley Trail that offers stunning mountain scenery and a possible stop in the Flour Cave, a definite thrill as it is spookily white inside

·         ATV or Jeep Tours: ATV and Jeep tours offer thrill-seekers the opportunity to explore Israel in style, whether they want to explore the Golan, the Galilee, the Judean or Negev deserts. Each tour is custom tailored to leave every traveler speechless as they explore the adventurous side of Israel. Take a jeep tour to Timna Park in Eilat, home to the world’s first copper mine, with beautiful hikes in the Red Canyon.

·         Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: A popular activity in Tel Aviv, Eilat and the Sea of Galilee, travelers have the opportunity to experience this favorite sport in different conditions. Beginners can take a course at the prestigious windsurfing and kitesurfing school north of Tel Aviv.

·         White water rafting – True adrenaline rush can be experienced while rafting on the River Jordan with incredible rapids that have narrow passages bordered by overhanging trees. If the rapids are too intense, one can go water-skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, parasailing or enjoy a number of water activities all year round in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Sea of Galilee

Israel Tourism conducts a roadshow in Kochi

Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) conducted a roadshow in Kochi on 29^th August to .

enhance commercial ties with the Indian travel trade fraternity. In an effort to retain the growth momentum of Indian arrivals to Israel, the team interacted with over 150 key travel and tour operators, MICE providers and up-market leisure operators. The event commenced with a presentation leading to an interactive session with the IMOT team. The roadshow included interactive B2B sessions, education programmes and workshops to aid trade members in planning itineraries and responding to customer queries. The Israeli delegation was led by the newly appointed Director of Tourism for India & Philippines markets, Mr. Sammy Yahia along with Judah Samuel, Director – Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India and included representative partners from the tourism industry of Israel

Sammy is responsible to lead the tourism board’s initiatives in India while overseeing the development of policies and strategies to strengthen Israel’s reputation as a world-class tourism and travel destination. He brings great expertise and know-how to the role with extensive and holistic experience in tourism marketing, strategic government relations and investment facilitation.

Commenting on the roadshow, Mr. Sammy Yahia, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism – India & Philippines said, “The arrivals from India have exceeded expectations in the last few years and we have seen the same trend in 2019. India currently stands third in Asia among the top source markets for Israel. While keeping the current momentum going, the idea is to aggressively work towards increasing connectivity between India & Israel by introducing new airlines to service the route. I am delighted with this new position and foresee ample opportunities for us to push boundaries and reinvent the ever evolving and dynamic Indian traveller”.

Israel Ministry of Tourism participated in various trade fairs and exhibitions this year including APEX, MILT, EXITO and SATTE to showcase the dynamic offerings of the destination to the travel trade community thereby luring travellers to consider Israel for a leisure holiday. Alongside, Israel has also quickly become Middle-East’s newest business tourism destination, gaining popularity with the Indian corporate and MICE segment. MICE travel to the country is booming at a steady pace as a YPO delegation is expected to travel in September this year while a 25-person delegation from Aries Agro Limited will be visiting Israel in September. A massive MICE movement was the CREDAI 19th NATCON 2019 hosted by CREDAI Telangana & CREDAI Andhra Pradesh in August that witnessed 850 attendees.

Over the years, Indian cuisine has also taken centre stage with many celebrity chefs and culinary experts visiting the country for menu engineering, special collaborations and food festivals. While Chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor, Thomas Zacharias, Manish Mehrotra and Rakhee Vaswani have travelled to Israel in the past, winner of Master Chef India, Chef Shipra Khanna visited the country for the Indian Culinary Festival at the Sheraton Tel Aviv in July this year. Hosted by the Embassy of India, Chef Khanna recreated flavours of India with the hotel’s Executive Chef for a special menu during the festival showcasing the best of India’s authentic dishes.

Israel offers a plethora of things to do and see to cater to the discerning traveller. From the historical city of Jerusalem to the beach city of Tel Aviv; from the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to the marvellous underwater marine life of Red Sea in Eilat, Israel is truly a dynamic destination.

Indian gastronomy takes centre stage in Israel

Israel is a nation that has culinary influences from all around the world and over the years Indian cuisine has taken centre stage with many celebrity chefs and culinary experts visiting the country for menu engineering, special collaborations and food festivals.

Each region in the country offers its own adapted cuisine which is evident in the many popular food markets in the country. A wide variety of cafés and restaurants serve everything from Arabic, European, Indian and Asian fare. Often referred to as ‘The Shuk’ by the locals, the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem is popular amongst tourists and locals alike for traditional fare of falafel, uniquely-flavoured ice creams and cheese shops, fresh produce, budget and designer clothing shops, shopping aesthetics, decorative crafts and unique products that is an amalgamation of old and new.

Israel is also known to host large scale festivals with over 60 events offering guests an insider’s view into the best kitchens with hands-on cooking workshops, food talk series and chef-guided tours of their favourite open-air markets, museums and neighbourhoods. Local and international chefs have come together to create limited edition menus infusing their own cultures and techniques. Some of the popular food festivals are the RoundTables in Tel Aviv, Open Restaurants Festival, Jerusalem Beer Festival, Jerusalem Wine Festival and the EAT Food Festival.

With the rising number of Indian tourists visiting Israel, Israeli hotels are now keen to cater to the Indian taste buds withmany Indian chefs visiting the country over the last few years. The Indian Embassy in Israel along with Dan Hotels hosted Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and his family for Indian Culinary Week in an initiative to promote the Indian culinary art overseas. The King David Hotel in Jerusalem played host to the three-day program wherein Chef David Bitton and Chef Kapoor collaborated to prepare various Indian delights. While in Israel, Chef Kapoor dined with Uri Jermais owner of seafood restaurant Uri Buri in Akko and Chef Moshe Basson of The Eucalyptus restaurant in Jerusalem and also hosted a demo-lecture at the Dan Gourmet Cooking School with close to 300 attendees.

Considered as one of the founding fathers of contemporary Indian cuisine and a world-renowned culinary expert, Chef Manish Mehrotra is known for his popular Indian Accent restaurant in New Delhi. Chef Mehrotrawas invited to participate in RoundTables Tel Aviv alongside Chef Yuval Ben Neriahof Taizu in 2016.  The two chefs curated a special menu for the festival that celebrated Indian-fusion fare. Chef Rakhee Vaswani, on the other hand travelled for the Open Restaurants 2018 in Jerusalem that hosted over 80 unique culinary experiences combining food with art, culture and innovation.

Known for bringing about an Indian food revolution with creations using indigenous Indian produce, Thomas Zacharias, executive chef and partner at Mumbai eatery ‘The Bombay Canteen’ at Kamala Mills was in Israel exploring the culinary culture.  As part of a culinary experience tour curated by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a global delegation of chefs selected from 10 countries, including Mexico, Vietnam, Nairobi, USA and India toured around Israel exploring the ingredients, flavours and culinary culture.

“I’ve come to realize over the last 6 years of food travel, that it is an incredible way of exploring and understanding cultures and traditions of a region, both within India or abroad. Israeli cuisine and culture has always intrigued me and I’m really looking forward to the fabulous itinerary of culinary experiences, from chef interactions and market tours to cheese farms, that has been put together,” says Zacharias.

Winner of Master Chef India, Chef Shipra Khanna travelled to Israel for the Indian Culinary Festival at the Sheraton Tel Aviv from 9^th to 11^thJuly. Hosted by the Embassy of India, Chef Khanna recreated flavours of India with the hotel’s Executive Chef for a special menu during the festival showcasing the best of India’s authentic dishes. “I am very excited to visit Israel. I have heard so much about the fresh produce, fruits, wine, and cheese that I can’t wait to go around Israel and absorb from its vibrant culture” said Khanna before her visit to Israel.

Dan Hotels is excited to announce the re-opening of Dan Caesarea in Israel

After eight months of renovation work, Dan Hotels is re-launching Dan Caesarea under a unique concept. The iconic Dan Caesarea Hotel, established in the 1960s by Baron Rothschild, has now become an updated innovative resort at an investment of NIS 80 million. The entire complex, comprising of 116 guestrooms and suites; lobby; dining room; children's Danyland club and all the public areas are renovated and upgraded and completely transformed. In addition, the property’s 62 verdant dunams have been newly landscaped.

Salon Bocca replaces the lobby area, offering delicious cocktails prepared especially for the resort by the Suramare group, (an exclusive Tel Aviv culinary bar), to accompany an original and appetizing menu. Beside the pool, you can enjoy the casual atmosphere of Limonada Bar providing a refreshing selection of summer drinks alongside exclusive cocktails. 

There is a new Greek style ‘Tavern” that will supply you with a well-stocked picnic hamper to enjoy in the resort’s spacious and welcoming gardens.

Throughout the hotel you will find contemporary Israeli art, with 15 monumental sculptures by the award-winning Israeli sculptor, Yaakov Dorchin, in the gardens, and works of art in the guestrooms, created by the late Rita Alima.

Ronen Nissenbaum, CEO commented: "We are proud and excited to re-launch Dan Caesarea with a unique and innovative concept that will offer guests stylish rooms, fascinating art, a culinary experience with contemporary bars, all set in beautifully landscaped gardens that create a magical atmosphere. We have invested heavily in the development of this concept, which has become an up-to-date resort that offers an exceptional hospitality experience for both Israeli clientele and tourists. "

The renovation project was a complex task, headed by Daniel Federmann, who with his talented team created this new and up-to-date concept. Architect Ilan Pivko redesigned all the public areas and Roni Federmann, the project's architect, together with Esti Robinson and the staff of the Dan Hotels technical division, redesigned the rooms ensuring great satisfaction for every guest. Designers Philippe Boulakia and Dikla Robinson created a new and refreshing approach that connects the location with nature. The guestrooms have been designed to ensure they are light and airy and allow the view to wrap itself around each room. The unique balcony structure allows visitors to enjoy an open view with maximum privacy with a double seating area overlooking the grounds.  

Bentzi Arbel, who is responsible for some of the leading concepts of the Tel Aviv culinary scene, created the concept of Happiness is Around, which describes the spirit of the resort from its design to the service. The art displayed throughout the Resort is from the Gordon Gallery collection, adding other unique touch to this magnificent property.

The materials used in the rooms are natural walnut veneer combined with original woodwork and furniture, gathered from around the world. A fine Italian walnut floor is set at an angle to the view and the unique mask installed in every room was created by the artist Tzachi Nevoespecially for this project. The addition of a floating ceiling designed by Roni Aloni enhances the atmosphere of freedom.

The separate sleeping area contains a queen-size bed wrapped in cloth, with a pampering mattress to ensure a good night’s sleep. Guests will be delighted with the Bluetooth gramophone, a mood lamp and focused reading lamps, as well as a 55-inch high-end TV. The extra spacious bathroom, complete with bathtub, shower, and an expansive marble surface in a classic cut stone finish, is separated from the room by a light Italian sliding door. All rooms are equipped with a well-stocked bar and a unique coffee machine complete with a selection of fresh coffee beans for grinding. Consideration has also been given to guests’ sense of privacy, resulting in each room having its own private entrance hall.

The perfect resort:

The renovated Dan Caesarea is the perfect location for families, as it provides a wide range of activities for all ages. The spirit of innovation did not skip the guests’ children, as a new and unique Danyland has been built for our younger generation of visitors. This new complex, never seen before in Israel, was designed by Philippe Boulakia and Dikla Robinson, who chose attractive pastel colors for the decor. The activity areas were designed with a deep understanding of what today’s children enjoy, combining a selection of retro games and technological innovations. Among the attractions that the Danyland club offers are a unique aquarium; a world of dinosaurs that combines a classic sandbox with a 3D projection, and a wealth of possibilities for an exciting gaming experience. 

The swimming pool has a pool table standing in the water and tree houses have been embedded into some of the trees around the pool, enabling a delightful play experience. There is a variety of sports activities on offer such as: a basketball court designed with unique graphics, a soccer field, a tennis court, mini golf, table tennis and more. Many guests will also be enthralled with the variety of retro games reminiscent of the carefree days of the 60s and 70s.

Finally, the renovated Dan Caesarea would not be complete without a pampering spa complex. There are wet and dry saunas and a state-of-the-art gym with high quality equipment connected to advanced systems. From June there will be six advanced treatment rooms available, offering an exciting and pioneering treatment menu.

All these facilities together with a beautiful view of the resort’s pool and lawns - Dan Caesarea is ready to welcome its guests for a wonderful new experience.

New travel initiatives welcome tourists to Israel

National, 23 May: Israel recorded 1.14 million overseas visitors in the first quarter of this year, up 14% from the corresponding period of 2018. With new travel friendly services initiated in the country, Israel is certainly set to welcome record millions by the end of 2019. 

·         Israel Pass – Make your trip smooth and easy and secure entry into six best national parks and nature reserves including Masada, Ein Gedi, Caesarea, Qumran and enjoy unlimited use of public transportation throughout Israel with the all new Israel Pass. Launched by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and the Ministry of Tourism, the card can be purchased at the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety booth in the arrival’s hall in Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport

·         The Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport – The country's newest airport located in Timna Valley will service the Red Sea resort city of Eilat and surrounding region and is Israel's first civil airport built from scratch. Slated to become a major game changer for local and international tourism to Israel, the new airport is expected to host 2.25 million passengers annually which is estimated to touch 4.25 million travellers per year. Spread across 1,250 acres, the airport is a minimalist and futuristic design in the middle of the Negev Desert framing the stunning scenery of the Desert mountainscape

·         New bus line connecting Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv hotels–Number 445, the new bus line launched by the Kavim company will operate 24 hours a day, Sunday to Thursday on an hourly frequency. The line will function until one hour before the Sabbath begins on Friday and from an hour after the Sabbath ends on Saturday night. Costing NIS 9.30, tourists are taken on a unique route from Ben Gurion Airport passing Tel Aviv’s hotel areas, Ben Yehuda Street, Yehuda Halevi Street, Menachem Begin Street and the railway complex. It also joins the Israel Railways train lines which operate from the train stations in Tel Aviv, 24 hours a day until the Sabbath begins. Tourists can save time and need not switch to another mode of public transportation at the train station in Tel Aviv

·         New VIP Luxury Lounge at Ben Gurion Airport – The Fattal terminal at Ben Gurion Airport offers luxurious pre-flight services at all stages, from check-in to security and customs. With a conference room, two shopping stores, six private rooms, a resting room and a private bathing room, stewards are available to guests at all times. Passengers, who will be charged between$400 to $800 a head, who can wait in private rooms or in the lobby, may eat, drink or smoke a cigar and travel to the plane in a private vehicle. The private terminal will also enable businesspeople to come for two or three hours for a business meeting

·         Ben Gurion Airport to be expanded – To cope with the increasing passenger traffic, Ben Gurion Airport’s main Terminal 3 will be expanded by 80,000 square-meters, including the addition of 90 new check-in counters, four new baggage conveyor belts and expansion of the existing duty-free space, immigration checkpoints and parking facilities. A fifth passenger concourse will also be constructed to accommodate additional aircrafts

·         New on-demand shuttle service in Tel Aviv - New York ridesharing company Via Transportation Inc. in collaboration with Israeli public transportation company Dan have launched a new on-demand van shuttle service called Bubble. The app lets users order rides that automatically devises a route to best suit the needs of all passengers, who are picked up and dropped off only at existing bus stops, to which they are directed by the app. Users are charged a flat NIS 15 fee for a single ride during rush hours and NIS 12.5 otherwise which is significantly cheaper than a taxi or can also opt for a 10-ride subscription at NIS 120. Senior citizens get a 50% discount and the service is available from Sunday to Thursday, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.