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Israel tourism
The lower trail at Beit Zayit. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
January 30, 2021, 9:09 am
A breath of fresh air: 5 invigorating nature walks to cure what ails you
When lockdown restrictions are lifted, stretch your limbs among the stunning views, sweet-smelling flowers, and lush vegetation along these free-to-access trails
By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am
An American tourist wearing a face mask tours at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on February 27, 2020 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
January 1, 2021, 5:22 am
Gutted by pandemic, tourism to Israel saw 81% drop in 2020
Reviewing a year of crisis, Tourism Ministry expresses hope for spring resurgence and announces plans to revitalize the industry
By TOI staff
Bahrain's Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed R. Alzayani (R) speaks to Israeli reporters in Jerusalem on December 3, 2020 (Courtesy Bahrain NCC)
December 3, 2020, 5:56 pm
Bahrain minister says he took a stroll around Jerusalem, felt its holy ‘spirit’
Zayed Alzayani compares nighttime walk that brought him near Western Wall and Dome of the Rock to his visits to Mecca and Medina
By Raphael Ahren
Empty sun loungers on a beach near the Dead Sea hotel complex, on July 10, 2019. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)
November 11, 2020, 11:49 pm
Eilat, Dead Sea to become ‘tourist islands’ after Knesset green lights plan
Legislation allowing hotels to open passes despite warning from health officials that rapid testing necessary for keeping areas virus-free won’t be ready for several more days
By TOI staff
People enjoy the beach in the resort city of Eilat, on November 6, 2020. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
November 10, 2020, 4:45 pm
MKs gives initial okay to bill for Eilat, Dead Sea ‘tourist islands’
A day after legislation is pulled by health minister, Knesset votes for 1st reading of proposal to soften restrictions; lawmakers say they will tackle opening more later
By Stuart Winer and TOI staff
Workers dig at an archaeological site at the Tower of David Museum in the ancient citadel of Jerusalem near the Jaffa Gate entrance to Jerusalem's Old City on October 28, 2020. (MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
October 28, 2020, 9:45 pm
With visitors away, Jerusalem’s Tower of David undergoes major facelift
Archaeologists using renovation of ancient citadel to study bastion’s medieval past in hope of learning more about the holy city during the Crusades
By Ilan Ben Zion
Empty sun loungers on a beach near the Dead Sea hotel complex, on July 10, 2019. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)
October 26, 2020, 4:57 pm
Knesset gives initial approval to declaring Eilat, Dead Sea ‘tourist islands’
Bill passes 1st reading; move will enable both locations, which see 30% of country’s tourism, restart operations despite outbreak; visitors will need to have negative virus test
By Stuart Winer
Wine experts Roni Saslove (left) and Guy Haran (second from left) partnered with graphic design artist Itamar Gur and photographer David Silverman (right) to create 'Wine Journey,' a guide to Israeli wineries (Courtesy Wine Journey)
October 16, 2020, 11:17 am
Vineyard visit? Wine not, write 2 oenophiles in fresh guide to Israeli wineries
Blocked from giving tours during coronavirus closure, Roni Saslove and Guy Haran pen and crowdfund ‘Wine Journey Israeli Adventure’
By Jessica Steinberg
Two men play backgammon while smoking a shisha water pipe at a restaurant overlooking the canal and the Dubai Marina neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
August 31, 2020, 11:01 pm
UAE and Israel deal opens doors to business
From coronavirus cooperation to oil sales: The key areas where the Jewish state and its new Arab partner share economic interests
By AFP
An elderly lady receives a meal delivery courtesy of Leket, the National Food Bank. (Courtesy, Leket)
August 26, 2020, 6:06 pm
National food bank faces rising demand for meals, plummeting food sources
Due to COVID-19, donations of unused prepared food from hotels, companies and army bases are down by more than half while demand for meals is up 50%
By Sue Surkes
View of the Leonardo hotel on the beachside of Haifa (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)
August 10, 2020, 6:22 pm
High Court comes out against Tshuva’s plan for four hotel towers on Haifa beach
Environment Ministry hails victory as judges appear to bury 1970s project with a demand for ‘a more modest’ version, that will not involve draining sea to create a bigger beach
By Sue Surkes
A tour group listens to a guide at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade in Jerusalem against the backdrop of the Old City in 2018 (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
July 21, 2020, 4:50 pm
Large Ferris wheel proposed for scenic Jerusalem promenade
Envisioned at half the height of London Eye, attraction is one of many being considered to upgrade ‘visitor experience’ at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade
By Sue Surkes
The facade of The Drisco Hotel, which reopened its doors to Israeli tourists on May 20, 2020 during the coronavirus (Courtesy The Drisco)
July 12, 2020, 6:20 am
Boutique hotels dare to reopen, welcoming Israeli guests… for now
With fewer rooms and smaller staff, several local hotels have taken the plunge and reopened, wearing masks and trying to social distance
By Jessica Steinberg
An airport staff cleaner in the empty arrivals hall at Ben Gurion International Airport on June 12, 2020 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
June 30, 2020, 8:04 pm
As virus cases mount, EU leaves Israel off list of countries allowed to visit
14 countries given okay to begin reciprocal tourism with European bloc; intelligence report warns reopening of Israeli skies in August won’t be possible if infection rate persists
By TOI staff
A Ryanair Boeing 737 airliner seen at Ramon Airport near Eilat, March 4, 2019. (Rafi Peled/ Israel Airport Authority)
June 18, 2020, 2:01 pm
EU okays landmark Israel ‘Open Skies’ aviation deal, despite annexation tensions
Jerusalem hails diplomatic achievement as Brussels ratifies pact with large majority; left-wingers’ bid for delay rejected; EU to watch political developments, ‘act accordingly’
By Raphael Ahren
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