A record-high 2.3 million tourists arrived in Israel between the beginning of January and the end of September a 38% rise compared to the same period last year. The Israel Hotel Association reports that 763,000 tourists stayed in Israel’s hotels in September – a rise of 49% compared to the same month last year, and tourist stays between January and September amounted to 7.6 million – a rise of 25% compared to the same period in 2007. Israel expects an all-time high of 3 million tourists to arrive by the end of the year.
There are several angles to take on your Israeli travel. Visitors to Jerusalem can now experience the holy city’s remarkable sites in a whole new light with “Autumn Evenings in the Old City.” The guided nighttime tours combining live musical performances, stories and meetings with Jerusalem’s fascinating inhabitants take participants through the Muristan neighborhood, David’s Citadel, Tekum Park and the ancient “Jewish” and “Christian” Quarters. www.visit-jerusalem.com
If you wantto walk in Jesus steps, Israel has inaugurated the new ‘Pilgrim’s Route,’ a trail enabling travelers to hike to its Christian holy places. Along the route leading from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, tourists can visit the site that recalls the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan, the Qumran caves and the point in the Jordan River believed to be where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The Good Samaritan site, located just off the highway leading from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, is home to a Byzantine church built approximately 1,700 years ago. www.goisrael.com
In a first of its kind, tourism in Israel has taken a new step or jog with the launch of Run the City’s “Site Jogging,” a new program designed for travelers wishing to discover Tel Aviv via their feet. A personal guide will accompany participants on the tour, sharing stories and connecting them to the rich history of Old Jaffa, the bohemian-chic Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the modern Tel Aviv Marina. Tours will be run for individuals or groups, and range from 60-90 minutes depending on the participants’ requested difficulty level and route. Plans have been announced to expand the Site Jogging program to Jerusalem and other cities throughout Israel in 2009. www.run-the-city.com
For more information: www.goisrael.com
