Overview:
Shalom,

Welcome to the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Our goal is to increase the number of tourists entering our country from all over the world. Our main obligations lie in the planning, marketing and development of sites within the tourism infrastructure.

One of our most important charges is to develop and preserve existing tourist attractions. Recently, the Committee of UNESCO declared Masada, Acre, the Tel Aviv Bauhaus buildings, the Nabatean Spice Route and various biblical tels as World Heritage Sites. This recognition is quite prestigious for our small country and other important sites are now under consideration, as well, for preservation.

The number of tourists visiting Israel is growing at a steady pace and it is expected that we will receive close to 3 million by the end of 2006. As our country contains many threads woven into a colorful tapestry, it is seen as a combination of old and new, history and high-tech, modern cities and rural villages, culture, archaeology, art, off-the-beaten track adventure, spiritual and sacred places and exciting and vibrant people from all over the world. Because of this unique blend, we can offer the tourist endless possibilities for a unique journey.

Recently, we have begun to attract new segments of the travel population including those looking to explore active vacations, such as biking, horseback riding, scuba diving, hiking, and the pampering of luxurious spas, gourmet cuisine, fine wines and boutique hotels. We are continually striving to improve services by encouraging new airlines into the market, increasing hotel rooms, improving roads, adding amenities to the car rental market and promoting the quaint and charming B& B properties scattered throughout the country.

Israel continues to encourage groups to visit and is also pleased to cater to the individual traveler's needs. Please feel free to contact us. Your interest and feedback are important to us. Our motto is that every traveler to our country will receive the utmost in warm and professional care.

The North and South America Office of the Ministry of Tourism is located in New York and is headed by Commissioner Arie Sommer.

In addition we have 3 regional offices: Northeast region, Western Region and Canada.

Contact:
ConsulArie Sommer
Commissioner, North & South America

Israel Government Tourism Ministry
800 Second Avenue
16th floor
New York, NY 10017 USA

Phone: +1-212-499-5644
Fax: +1-212-499-5645

Israel Ministry of Tourism Information Center
800 Second Avenue
16th floor
New York, NY 10017 USA
Phone: +1-212-499-5660
Fax:+1-212-499-5665
Toll Free: 1-888-77ISRAEL

E-mail:
info@goisrael.com


Opening hours:
Mon-Thu 9:00am - 7:00pm ET
Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm ET

Visiting hours:
Mon-Thu 9:30am - 4:30pm ET
Fri 9:30am - 2:30pm ET
 

Feature:

SUMMER FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Israel Festival, Jerusalem - May 23 - June 15, 2006
Tel: 011-972-2-566-3198
E-mail: Israel-f@smile.net.il

• Abu Ghosh Vocal Music Festival - June 1-3, 2006

• Jerusalem Film Festival - July 6-14, 2006

• Karmiel Dance Festival - July 18-20, 2006

• Keshet Eilon Violin Master course - July 21 - Aug 9, 2006

• International Festival of Puppet Theater in Jerusalem - Aug 6-11, 2006

• Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival - Sept 1-12, 2006

• International Women's Film Festival - Rehovot, Sept 13-16, 2006

• Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre - Oct 7-10, 2006

• Haifa International Film Festival - Oct 18-25, 2005 

Bird watchers among you will have a breathtaking experience during the Hula Valley Bird Festival:


Hula Valley Bird Festival
November 5 - 12, 2006
During the peak birding season in the Hula Valley, when the migration season is at its height and the wintering species have already arrived, come and enjoy a great variety of activities: lectures, guided tours and identification workshops which will be held in the best birding sites in Northern Israel...(read more)

FROM HOLLYWOOD TO THE HOLY LAND
Celebrities from all over the world and especially Hollywood stars are putting a glamorous face on Israel’s tourism. This year an unprecedented number of film actors and singers came to visit and enjoy our country’s hospitality...(read more)

Learn about the many "Fun and Leisure" activities Israel has to offer or learn "What You Won't Need" or maybe add a few "Hebrew Phrases" to your vocabulary before you arrive in Israel, by visiting our websites:
 
The Israel Ministry of Tourism website is:
http://www.tourism.gov.il/
The Government Tourism Office to North America is: http://www.goisrael.com/