The Tourism Ministry released an encouraging survey this week showing that 94% of the tourists who leave Israel plan to recommend to their friends to come to Israel at this time. Some 98% of British and American tourists would do so, compared with 92% of the French and 91% of the Germans.
The newly instated Tourism Minister Benny Elon has an ambitious plan to bring world Jewry to Israel - at least for a visit. He is planning to invest major resources and efforts in this area, as well as in bringing Christian supporters of Israel. Minister Elon, who took over the job after the assassination of his predecessor, Rehavam \"Gandhi\" Ze\'evi, plans to encourage internal tourism and \"help the tourism sector survive the current crisis.\" Finally, Elon said he would make Jerusalem and its development a high priority.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Guardian in London yesterday, \"We are planning now to bring another one million Jews to Israel.\" The Guardian article presented the plan as a \"threat\" against the Palestinian Authority, when in actuality Sharon mentioned it as part of the traditional Israeli program of \"building the land.\" The question was raised, however, as to where the million Jews would be found. Aliyah (immigration to Israel) figures for the first seven months of 2001 show a monthly average of only about 125 new immigrants from North America. Argentina, however, which has about a half-million Jews and difficult economic conditions, is considered possibly fertile ground for Aliyah efforts.
El Al Israel Airlines has announced that, beginning in December, it will run 3-4 weekly flights from Israel directly to Los Angeles. Until now, passengers to LA were forced to switch planes in New York, but now they will be able to fly directly, with only a stopover in Toronto.
The newly instated Tourism Minister Benny Elon has an ambitious plan to bring world Jewry to Israel - at least for a visit. He is planning to invest major resources and efforts in this area, as well as in bringing Christian supporters of Israel. Minister Elon, who took over the job after the assassination of his predecessor, Rehavam \"Gandhi\" Ze\'evi, plans to encourage internal tourism and \"help the tourism sector survive the current crisis.\" Finally, Elon said he would make Jerusalem and its development a high priority.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Guardian in London yesterday, \"We are planning now to bring another one million Jews to Israel.\" The Guardian article presented the plan as a \"threat\" against the Palestinian Authority, when in actuality Sharon mentioned it as part of the traditional Israeli program of \"building the land.\" The question was raised, however, as to where the million Jews would be found. Aliyah (immigration to Israel) figures for the first seven months of 2001 show a monthly average of only about 125 new immigrants from North America. Argentina, however, which has about a half-million Jews and difficult economic conditions, is considered possibly fertile ground for Aliyah efforts.
El Al Israel Airlines has announced that, beginning in December, it will run 3-4 weekly flights from Israel directly to Los Angeles. Until now, passengers to LA were forced to switch planes in New York, but now they will be able to fly directly, with only a stopover in Toronto.