Israel Tourism final update

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

This will be my last update to you as Director of The Israel Tourism Office in Australia. I would like to say that it has been a privilege to have worked with you all in this capacity and to have overseen a significant recovery of tourism to Israel from Australia and New Zealand.

I am also pleased to be able to inform you all that we have just received February 2006 tourism statistics from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. For the first two months of 2006, tourism to Israel from both Australia and New Zealand is up a pleasing 34% over the equivalent period in 2005. Global growth is

25%. As you can see the closure of the office is no reflection on the successful performance of this office and the partnership we have so successfully developed over the years. I sincerely hope that the momentum which we have jointly developed will be maintained throughout 2006.

The last offical activity of the Israel Tourist Office(Australia) will be our involvement as a presenter at the Eastern Mediterranean Tourism Industry evening in Brisbane on Wed 05 April. However the last official day of the office will be Friday March 31.

Basic consumer enquiries and requests for material can be made to the Israel Trade Commission in Sydney Tel 02 9262 3943. The Trade Commission has stocks of brochure shells for travel agents and tour operators, general information bochures, maps and videos for loan. All the IGTO’s photo CDs and other material will be at the Trade Commisssion.

Please be aware that the Israel Trade Commission is not a replacement for the Israel Tourism Office and the services it is in a position to provide will be limited. Wholesalers, travel agents and El Al may be a better address for geneuinely travel related enquiries.

For complex enquiries and assistance in such matters as familiarisation trips, marketing support etc you will need to contact Mr Tzvi Lotan e mail [email protected]

Tzvi is based in the Jerusalem head office of the Israel Ministry of Tourism and looks after matters related to Australia and New Zealand. He is a highly experienced member of the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s marketing team.

Please be aware that the web site www.goisrael.com remains one of the best sources of general tourism information about Israel.

Sincere thanks to you all for your support of Israel and the Israel Tourism Office over the years. I wish you all a pleasant Easter and Passover and hope 2006 will be great year for you all and will hopefully include a visit to Israel.

Shalom and regards

David Beirman

Director Israel Tourism Office

Australasia & SW Pacific