Travel
2010: Record year for tourism
Ziv Reinstein
Published: 30.12.10, 10:24
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15 Talkbacks for this article
1. Mud in the eyes of the pro-Pal crowd. Israel not "isolated"
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (12.30.10)
So much for the nay sayers and Israel bashers out there who keep claiming that Israel is more isolated than ever in the international community. A big fat raspberry for all of you.....
2. Unfazed by security
Jacob Erickson ,   Holon, Israel   (12.30.10)
People are looking at Israel as not a lot of security or not bad security, because any americans (I don't know how other countries are) need to get man handled, molested, and stripped by the TSA before getting on a plane. Here in Israel, we do better security without some sticking their hands down your pants.
3. Taxi drivers in Jerusalem
bruno ,   Portugal   (12.30.10)
I also visited Israel for a month in 2009, and I loved it. One problem though : the taxis in Jerusalem, mainly arabs with lots of schemes to make me pay more. I even ended up in a police station with one of those ali babas. Really the Minister of Tourism has to work hard on the image these taxi drivers are giving the tourists, mainly in Jerusalem.
4. you can thank me now :P
ghostq   (12.30.10)
so where is my prize? I will send an adress.
5. Peace in the Middle East would turn thins to Gold Lands...
John ,   Europe   (12.30.10)
I have spoken to numerous Israeli and American enterprenours and investors who told me that they would strap their shirts off to get more money to invest in Arab countries. I heard from opposite side that Arab money-carriers look for opportunities to invest in Israel and Palestine. Even now - maybe you didn't know - but the official bank for investment of Saudi king is - ROTSCHILD BANK IN SWITZERLAND. Banks in Lebanon? Heard that this term would be legendary. Tourism? You cannot dig a bloody cellar in Israel without bumping on some bones of Roman/Persian/Egyptian/whoknows soldier or some structure. Religious tourism? Do I have even to start about it? Plus the natural talent of Arabs and Jews there to haggle and squeeze every 1/16 out of every share... What can I say?
6. PLEASE KEEP ISRAEL TIDY
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.30.10)
Throw any litter in to trash cans .
7. Wish I could visit...
Majid ,   Rotterdam, NL   (12.30.10)
My dream is to visit Israel... Unfortunately, being born in Iraq, I'm affraid to be denied entry and sent back on a plain... Gongratz on the record!!
8. #7 Nothing to be afraid of!
Omri ,   Israel   (12.30.10)
You will probably have to go through more security checks then most but how bad can it be?
9. Nazareth should only be 2nd to Jerusalem
Rami of Nazareth ,   Israel   (12.30.10)
Due the importance of Nazareth to christians, which compose the majority of tourists comming to Israel. It is about time the government invest to promote the city, improve its infrastructure and accomodations
10. Also great for the non-religious visitor
Berk ,   Amsterdam, Holland   (12.30.10)
No need to be jewish, Christian or whatsoever. One can also appreciate Israel for other reasons.
11. #1: UAE and Egypt have superior tourism numbers
Anti-Racist   (12.30.10)
So does Lebanon (in terms of tourism income per capita), and Lebanon was being destroyed and bombed from the air just 4 years ago. So don't get too ahead of yourself.
12. If people only knew how good the food is...
Nick Sporek ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.30.10)
... I've literally seen visitors have orgasms over the fruit and vegetables. If you don't believe me just go to a freshly squeezed fruit juice stand and try for your self. (A very inexpensive treat.) Then there's the pita and hummus. I'm 75% hummus and not water like most people. That's how I can go without water in the desert for so long (all day while hiking at a NY walking pace in 35-40 degrees celsius but don't try it because you'll probably die ) ;^) Oh and the grape juice is so magical. I say, why wait for wine, grape juice is ready now!!! We have the best cottage cheese along with a number of other amazing soft cheeses. Chocolate is the preferred drug of most Israelis myself included. So don't forget your toothbrush ;^) If you don't like chocolate there's always carob extract and we got lots of it. Make sure to try the date "honey" AKA Silan. FYI - When the bible talks about Israel being "the land of milk and honey" it's referring to date honey not bee honey. Some people think that Israel has the worst drivers but how can that be when we have the best pilots in the world? I think its because the pilots aren't distracted by all the bakeries like the drivers are ;^) I know a well traveled travel agent in Canada that says, "nothing beats Israeli breakfast, nothing". I had to agree but lunch and dinner aren't far behind. I live at the poverty line but I eat like a king on a paupers budget. I can't even imagine what Israeli fine dining is like. Although I've been to some weddings with unbelievable spreads. Baruch Ha'bah and B'tai a'von (Welcome and good appetite)
13. the kingdom of heaven revealed
the name revealed ,   the word revealed   (12.30.10)
JESUSALEN!
14. 11
(12.31.10)
i am lebanese christian. if you have any documentation regarding your post, please give it because, i as lebanese and most of the lebanese people have not see tourists lately. maybe some arabs, but not europeans at all because of hizballah and the tension in lebanon. it is almost a civil war now and no one wants to come. so, please stop with the lies. just because you are jealous of isreli sucess in tourism doesn't give you the right to lie. please, also look at egypt. except for the sinai because of the beach and cairo, there in not much to do and it is filthy and smelly in most cities. israel enjoys the most tourism in that region and you know it so stop the lies. vivienne beirut
15. I went 3 times last year
Shan ,   New York, NY   (01.07.11)
so they probably counted me 3 times :)
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