Focus On Increasing Awareness Across Cities

- June Mukherjee

How has the Indian market been for Israel Tourism in the past few years?

This growth of 36 pc is not a sudden thing. We already took a decision five years ago to open a tourism office in India. In the last two years, we did a lot of activities, we engaged with the trade initially, in order to have packages to Israel. Then we did major campaigns last year, and because of all these activities and efforts of the ministry, more Indian agents are promoting packages to Israel. Now, more Israelis are coming to India also in order to engage with the local industry, to promote the destinations. The visit of Prime Minister Modi helped us a lot in order to put Israel on the list of the people as a tourist destination and of course do more business.

Flight connectivity seems to be a challenge, with only Mumbai and New Delhi being connected. Does this impact the growth?

We are seeing the growth without having any additional flight.So, the solutions are there, people can stop, do one stop and reach Israel. For example, you can fly from New Delhi or Mumbai and you will reach Israel using the Gulf carriers, land in Oman or Jordan, and then cross the border to Israel, because it’s a very short distance. People are flying even to Europe and then coming to Tel Aviv. If people really want to come, they will find a way. Of course, if you facilitate, you will see more numbers. I think when Air India would start flying in the next couple of months, we would see more people coming because they will connect Kolkata directly to the flight and they will connect other cities as well.

How is Israel’s offer as a tourism experience compare with the popular destinations visited by the Indians?