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| EU to seek aviation liberalization with Israel
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EU Ambassador to Israel Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal has said the European Union wishes to discuss the liberalisation of the airline industry with Israel.
Speaking at the influential "Globes" Israel Business Conference, Cibrian-Uzal stressed that he saw the tourism industry as a growth engine and was seeking a positive response from the Israelis.
According to Globes magazine, Israel’s Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson responded by saying that persuading Israel to liberalise its aviation policies will be the Ambassador’s most important task.
Hirchson’s reply was optimistic as he explained ways in which he saw the expanding of Israel’s tourism industry and an open skies policy as a large step to facilitate his vision.
Hirschson continued by stating that tourism could boost the economy. It affects an enormous range of businesses and related businesses, and has accounted for a large proportion of entertainment culture and quality of life since the beginning of the previous century.
Israel behind much of Europe
The tourism Minister compared the Israeli tourism industry with that of Italy, Spain, France and Cyprus and said he believed it is a developing industry, but fell short of what was needed.
“In our 57 years, we haven’t done it, despite great progress in other areas,” Hirchson complained.
Hirchson also foresaw the numbers of tourists visiting Israel increasing, especially from Europe. The minister claimed that two million tourists had visited in 2005 and he predicted 3 million would visit in 2006. In 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence, the aim is for 5 million tourists.
Israel’s tourism industry is slowly recovering after the intifada which began in 2000, and the Europeans are starting to return.
Marc Arnold, a spokesman for one European Hoteliers organization, told EJP: "Since various peace initiatives have taken hold, Israel has once again become a credible tourist destination, especially amongst the Italians, Spanish and Germans. However, [prices of] flights to Israel are not as competitive as they should be and this may be putting many off from visiting."
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