|
Tuesday, 16 September 2008 23:02 |
| |
|
The Chinese government has officially approved Israel as a tourist destination, resulting in an anticipated major boost in Chinese tourists arriving to this country. The agreement makes Israel a ‘preferred country' and allows Chinese travel agents to sell packages to Israel, which until now they were not allowed to do. [read more] |
|
The Chinese government has officially approved Israel as a tourist destination, resulting in an anticipated major boost in Chinese tourists arriving to this country. The agreement makes Israel a ‘preferred country' and allows Chinese travel agents to sell packages to Israel, which until now they were not allowed to do. Thus, although 2008 has already seen an increase in the number of tourists from China over other years, the official agreement between the Chinese and Israeli governments is expected to boost their numbers hugely. The first Chinese tourist group is expected on 25 September. The 80 tourists will enjoy a ten-day trip through various areas of Israel including Eilat, according to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism's goal is to bring in 15,000 Chinese tourists by the end of this year. To encourage this, the Ministry has opened a branch in Beijing and the government will ease the process of acquiring visas for the Chinese (and vice versa). There is also a push to train Chinese speaking tour guides, hotel employees and tourism industry staff, as well as translating written tourism materials into Chinese.
|
|
The Chinese Tourism Office has also said it would help Israel locate students who can be employed as guides for Chinese tour groups visiting Israel. According to Minister of Tourism Ruchama Avraham-Belila, some 50 million Chinese visit the area close to Israel and Israel should prepare to absorb some of that. Following announcement of the tourism agreement, China’s largest airline, Air China, is considering operation of commercial flights between Israel and China. At present, Israel’s El Al airline operates three flights a week between Tel Aviv and Beijing. Air China had flights to Israel in the 1990s but cancelled the route due to its failure to be financially worthwhile. The anticipated boost in tourism between Israel and China will almost certainly change that and make it worth their while to renew the route. A plum on the pudding for Air China could be the deal they recently signed with the Israeli Krief Group for the latter to be cargo salesmen in Israel for the Chinese airline. |
|
