State of Israel Bonds in honoring Igal and Iris Hami, Gil Travel

Consul General Kutner joins State of Israel Bonds in honoring Igal and Iris Hami, Gil Travel

Last week, Consul General Daniel Kutner and Dr. Shirley Kutner joined the State of Israel Bonds in honoring Igal and Iris Hami of Gil Travel, who were recognized for extraordinary achievements in promoting the State of Israel. Their generous support for worthy causes, particularly helping handicapped young people, is well known and well respected.

The event was attended by family, as well as an impressive list of local personalities from the world of business, the Jewish community (including many Israeli veteran residents in the city) and others. Senator Bob Casey made a surprise appearance to offer his warm congratulations and voice his strong support for Israel.

In congratulating Iris, Igal and their family, CG Kutner expressed deep apreciation for their work on behalf of Israel and their heartfelt support for those in need, adding that they embody in themselves all that is to be admired in the Israeli sense of solidarity and readiness to help those who need it most.

Congratulations also to the State of Israel Bonds for honoring such a worthy couple and organizing a very successful event.

Christian pilgrims to be in Jerusalem for Succot

Throngs of Christian pilgrims to be in Jerusalem for Succot

Throngs of Christian pilgrims to be in Jerusalem for Succot

By RON FRIEDMAN
09/21/2010 03:57

International Christian Embassy festivities will add $15-20 million to tourism coffers.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims will visit Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles celebration later this week.

According to the Tourism Ministry, roughly 7,000 Christian from 100 countries will participate in the event, which is sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

The thousands of pilgrims, who will stay in Israel for more than a week, are expected to contribute tens of thousands of overnight stays in hotels around the country and the overall income to the Israeli economy is estimated at between $15 million and $20m.

“Christian tourism to Israel, in all its streams, represents the main target audience on which the Tourism Ministry focuses its marketing efforts in order to increase incoming tourism,” said Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov. “In the framework of the new branding of Israel as the Holy Land with Jerusalem at its center, the ministry operates in all spheres in order to turn these pilgrims into ambassadors for tourism to Israel in their home countries.”

The ministry will operate an information booth at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, distribute information and flyers to pilgrims about the country’s tourist attractions and provide assistance as required.

On Thursday, Meseznikov will host a festive reception at the convention center for the heads of the Christian communities and will present a gift to Brazilian evangelical minister Renê Terra Nova, who with 1,000 participants leads the largest group of pilgrims coming to the event.

This week the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem marks its 30th anniversary.

The week of festivities will be Israel’s largest annual tourist event and the largest solidarity mission to Israel.

“The Christian Embassy has established a remarkable record of standing in support of Israel and a united Jerusalem over the past three decades, whether through our many humanitarian projects across the land, our advocacy efforts worldwide, or our annual festival gathering in Jerusalem. This event has drawn well over 150,000 Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem during the past 30 years, with a cumulative financial impact in the hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Rev. Malcolm Hedding, ICEJ’s executive director. “We look forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary with our Israeli friends and guests.”

Yossi Weiss, chairman of the Israeli Tour Guide Association, said that Christian pilgrims make up an essential part in the demand for Israel’s tourism product.

“Their support for Israel is not only political or faithbased.

They support us with their money, too. According to the figures we have, they make up a higher percentage than Jewish tourists and their patronage represents a significant contribution to the sector,” he said.

According to Weiss, many of the pilgrims stay at high-end hotels and nearly all of them hire licensed Israeli guides.

“The evangelical Christians in particular tend to come to Israel for relatively long stays of seven or eight nights and also tend to spend all their money in the Israeli shops.

The pilgrims tend to spread their touring all around the country and like to see all the places mentioned in the Old Testament. You won’t see them relaxing on the beach in Tel Aviv or Eilat.”

Ami Etgar, director-general of the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association, said that pilgrimage was the second largest draw for tourism to Israel, following only vacation and travel as the main motivation for visiting the country.

Etgar said that the peak seasons for pilgrim tourism to Israel were in the fall and in the spring, in time for Easter celebrations.

While Meseznikov said that the ministry would be focusing on bringing in additional Christian tourists, it is also looking to develop tourism from the Far East. On Monday, Tourism Ministry director-general Noaz Bar-Nir signed a tourism cooperation agreement with his counterpart, Mr. Dao Suaming, director-general of the Shanghai Tourism Ministry. In the agreement, the two sides declared the importance of tourism as a means of promoting ties and agreed to work together to advance tourism between Israel and Shanghai, in addition to the exchange of information, advertising and the encouragement of investments and joint initiatives.

“The Chinese tourism market holds enormous potential for Israel and, despite annual growth, we have not yet begun to realize this potential.

The tourism industry in China in general, and in Shanghai and Beijing in particular, displays great interest in and is happy to cooperate with Israel. Simplifying the bureaucratic procedures and increasing airline traffic will facilitate a significant increase in incoming tourism from China,” Bar-Nir said.

In 2009, 10,000 Chinese tourists visited Israel and more than 7,000 have visited so far this year.

An interesting article on Seville Spain for Jewish Travellers

clink on the link to view article:
http://chutzpah.epubxpress.com

Vote for the Dead Sea in the Finals of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Competition!

Vote for the Dead Sea in the Finals of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Competition!

The Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth and one of Israel’s most popular tourist sites, is one of the 28 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature, an international online competition to grade the seven natural wonders of the world
(http://www.new7wonders.com)to/ To reach the final shortlist, this unique tourism site had to beat off about 440 sites from 220 countries (more than the number of countries competing in the Olympics).


The lowest place on earth will compete through 2011 for the hearts and votes of over a billion people from around the world, against 27 other sites including, among others, the River Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon and the Maldives.


It is hoped that the candidacy of the Dead Sea in the competition will promote tourism to the region and raise public awareness around the world of the problems facing the sea, which has lost about one meter in height every year for the past 30 years.


Over the next 2 years, the Tourism Ministry will lead the campaign for the Dead Sea to be selected as one of the winners in the contest, via its 14 representative offices around the world, its websites in 11 languages and focused marketing activities that emphasize the unique attributes of the Dead Sea.



Voting can take place directly at the competition website:

http://www.new7wonders.com/


At over 400 meters below sea level and with luxury hotels in the Ein Bokek area, the Dead Sea is known as the lowest and largest natural health spa in the world. This natural phenomenon offers tourists and health-seekers black Dead Sea mud and thermo-mineral hot springs which ease muscular tensions, improve blood circulation and alleviate rheumatic pain; desert-dry, pollution and pollen-free air that is rich in oxygen, bromine and magnesium and offers relief to those suffering from asthma, lung and heart diseases and year-round sunshine, whose harmful UVB rays are filtered through the extra layers of atmosphere offering relief to those suffering from skin diseases – as well as tourists looking to get a safer tan.



Tourist attractions in the area, among others, include the Roman fortress at Masada, the Ein Gedi and Einot Tzukim nature reserves and Qumran, home to the Essenes sect and the area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Intriguing Facts about Israel

Israel’s generosity extends to thousands. In fact, Israel once airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel. People all around the world visit Israel only to be engulfed by its beauty. For this reason, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth.

Read more interesting facts about Israel here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600302/posts

Gil Travel can take care of planning an unforgettable tours to Israel. For more information please visit http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855.

Interesting feature on CNBC on Israel's economic growth

Came across an interesting interview with Dan Senor, the co-author of 'Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle.'

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1311023934&play=1

Dan shared some interesting theories about some of the factors helping Israel's economic growth-- very interesting facts. Whether you take an Israel tour for pleasure or business, Gil Travel can help plan your trip.

How to Plan Jewish Heritage Travel for Children & Teens

Planning an Israel family vacation presents an exciting opportunity for children and teens to learn about culture and history. Israel offers a unique atmosphere of culture and adventure to give younger family members an educational experience that is not only informative, but fun.

Susan Blum, manager of the Israel Department at Gil Travel a leader in Israel tours and Jewish heritage travel since 1974, shares insight into how an Israel vacation can be fun for all ages, especially children and teens.

Choose An Israel Tour Guide That Has Experience With Children.

According to Blum, choosing the right tour guide can play a major role in the overall quality of the tour.

“Some guides have more experience with children than others, but across the board the tour guides in Israel are the most renowned in the world. Many of our guides have taken psychology courses to better relate to and interact with children,” Blum reports. “We make a strong effort to match each guide with the type of people on a particular tour, in order to find the guide that is most suitable to each group’s age range and interests.”

Incorporate Adventure Into Your Family Tour To Israel.
“Jewish heritage travel is packed full of history, and we aim to present the information in a way that is interactive and fun for children,” Blum says. “Of course, not every group wants to dive into the water or go for a plane ride, but for those that do have an adventurous side, Israel offers many exciting opportunities to experience extraordinary adventure.”

Just some of Blum’s favorite educational Israel adventures include:

· A donkey ride at Kfar Kedem, where travelers can actually hitch a plow to one of the donkeys and work the land or put their shoulder to the wheel of an ancient grindstone to prepare the whole-grain flour.

· A jeep ride up the Golan Heights, one of Israel's most beautiful and controversial regions.

· A chance to pet the kangaroos at Gan Guru.

· A swim in the Gan Hashlosha water springs.

· A trip to the new Jerusalem Zoo and Wohl Archeological Center

· A (surprisingly affordable) plane ride over the Dead Sea.

Have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah In Israel.

“Celebrating your special day at a historic place, as part of an Israel tour, strengthens your family’s ties both to each other and to Judaism,” Blum explains.

“We have guided countless families in arranging for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel,” she reports. “From helping find a Rabbi for the ceremony to arranging all the details of the celebration, we’re experienced in every aspect of Bar or Bat Mitzvah planning. We can also plan anniversary parties, wedding vow renewals and any other special family celebrations in Israel.”

For more information about Jewish heritage travel, please visit Gil Travel at http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855.

How To Prepare For Your Israel Christian Tour: Gil Travel Shares Tips For Holy Land Travel

For many Christians who dream of traveling to the Holy Land, a guided Bible tour of Israel presents the opportunity of a lifetime. Sharon Cheeseman, General Manager of Gil Travel, a leading provider of Israel tours since 1974, shares insight into what travelers should know in order to experience the best possible Christian Israel tours.

1. Bring your Bible. “It may seem obvious, but bringing a Bible is absolutely critical for any Christian Israel pilgrimage,” says Cheeseman. “It is truly an exceptional, indescribable experience for travelers when they see the Bible come to life before their eyes.”

Cheeseman emphasizes that having a Bible on the tour helps Christian travelers to embrace the significance of the gospels, from the annunciation of Christ to His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary. As tourists walk in the footsteps of Jesus, this enables them to follow along verse-by-verse to gain a renewed appreciation for His sacrifice and a deeper understanding of Israel’s culture, land and people.

2. Dress for Comfort. “The more comfortable you are during your trip to Israel, the more fulfilling and enjoyable your experience will be,” Cheeseman explains.

Israel’s rough terrain, rocks and sandy hills require that travelers wear comfortable, rubber soled shoes. Travelers should dress in plenty of layers as temperatures can fluctuate significantly in a single day. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly recommended.

According to Cheeseman, dress is casual and modest, although many Holy sites require more formal attire. For men, hats are usually provided. Women should generally wear scarves to cover their heads and skirts that fall below the knee when visiting these Holy sites.

3. Choose a Comprehensive, Guaranteed Tour. Cheeseman emphasizes that tourists should choose a guaranteed tour in order to avoid having their trips cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute because of low participation.

Additionally, she recommends that Christian travelers take the time to research a tour’s itinerary to ensure a complete Israel tour experience. “Israel offers so many opportunities for the traveler to fully explore the land of the Bible,” she says. “It is important to choose a tour that includes a complete look at the Holy Land’s key Christian sites.”

Just a few of the sites on Cheeseman’s must-see list include:

Caesarea, the capital of Judea under the Romans. (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48)

Tabgha, where Jesus performed the Miracle of the Bread and Fish. (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21)

The Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8)

Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. (Luke 1.39-80)

The Banias Spring and Waterfall, where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27)

Nazareth and Cana of Galilee. (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) (John 2.1-11)

Mount Zion, where travelers can see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper. (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 The Pentecost).

For more information about Christian Israel tours, please visit http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855.

Want to share this article? Find more options here: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Prepare-For-Your-Israel-Christian-Tour-Gi/

Tel Aviv Listed by Forbes Magazine as a Top Party City

Described by City Guide Israel as a "hedonistic, multi-cultural Mediterranean metropolis", Tel Aviv was recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the world's top party cities.

Tel Aviv is listed amongst other well-known party cities including New York, Berlin, London and Rio, and is said to have a "a steamy nocturnal playground not for the faint of heart." Part of what keeps the party atmosphere going is that "bartenders in Tel Aviv, in general, are notoriously generous with alcohol servings."

Read the full article here: http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/21/top-party-cities-lifestyle-travel-nightlife.html

Named among the hot spots in Tel Aviv was the Barzilay Club, an underground club in Tel Aviv. Originally founded on Barzilay Street, the club was shut down and reopened in an iron warehouse in Harechev street and continues to have a strong following amongst Israel's alternative scene.

Want to party at the Barzilay Club & other hot spots in Tel Aviv? Gil Travel has winter special Israel tours, that feature a stay at the Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv. Book Now or call 1800- speak with one of our Israel travel experts today.

Images of a Shuk--Spice Vendors

Colorful spices are always a beautiful site to see in a visit to the shuk. Our tours to Israel, include visits to historic local shuks, such as the Mahane Yehuda Shuk in Jerusalem.

About Gil Travel

Israel tours & Jewish heritage travel experts, Gil Travel can plan your dream tours of Israel, whether a holy land pilgrimage, Christian tour of Israel or Bar/Bat Mitzvah tour. We also offer exclusive vacation packages for Russia, Europe, Egypt & more.


Visit us online at http://www.giltravel.com or call 800-223-3855