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Israel Improves Incoming Tourism

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Jerusalem Old City from Mount of Olives.

Image via Wikipedia

After the six-month mark of 2009 there are now some statistics on tourism to Israel. I can’t say that I totally trust these numbers or at least as far as the way they are affecting the field of guiding.

Despite the gloabl recession of the last two years it seems that tourism is only down a little this year. Just for the month of July the number (252.000) is a mere 4% below July of 2008 (262.000) as compared to July 2007 – 214.000.

Over the years of living in Israel and working as a guide, I have leaned to take these numbers with a pinch of salt. These numbers may not reflect actual tourists, but rather people coming in. No doubt the majority are tourists, but there are also a great number of Jews coming in from around the world to visit family. They are all welcome. [Read more...]

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Hub Cafe in Jerusalem

August 12, 2009 By 1 Comment

portrait-2One day not long ago I was sitting in one of my hub cafes in the Old City of Jerusalem. This is a place I visit often, as part of my work. Most times, luckily, I don’t even have time to sit here.

But on this occasion I did. The tourist I was guiding was visiting the Western Wall Tunnel, in a group guided by the Tunnels own guides. This gave me time to walk the streets alone, take some photos, but most of all to sit in my cafe.

The reason I love sitting there is that to me this street and this point is typical of the Old City and of Jerusalem. To me Jerusalem is not, never has been, and never will be, what is shown on the media throughout the world. Like with so many other things that the media reports about [Read more...]

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History, Nature and World Heritage Sites

August 7, 2009 By 2 Comments

portrait-2Israel may be a small country, but it has an extremely diversified landcape, climate, flora and fauna. Without the assistance of dedicated people and organizations much of this would be lost.

In 1955 the first law to protect nature in Israel was passed by the Knesset (Parliament). It is known as the Wild Animals Protection Law, and came into being in order to save the remnants of many animals species threatened with extinction, due to hunting and total disregard for the nature of the land up till then.

In 1963 an additional law came into being, establishing two government authorities:

The National Parks Authority – to protect, maintain and develop historical sites
The Nature Reserves Authority – to protect, maintain and develop nature reserves.

Israel Nature and Parks Authority the Caretaker of World Heritage Sites [Read more...]

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Discover Israeli Wines

August 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NOVEMBER 13: A visitor swi...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

portrait-2-compressedI have made a decision that I want to start every week with something uplifting, something fun or something unusual. Coming off a great weekend we need to jumpstart the week.

This week I am starting with wine. I will admit I am not so knowledgeable in wine, Israeli or otherwise. I do love a good wine with a good meal, or even a glass of cold white wine on a hot summers evening, looking out over the Mediterranean or the Mountain of Judea. [Read more...]

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