Could it be that the new Middle East is already here? Judging by traffic on the Ministry of Tourism's website, it could very well be. A large number of Muslims, including many Arabs, have been surfing the website of Israel 'sTourism Ministry.
Last May, the Tourism Ministry launched a number of websites in different languages. On the site, it is possible to take virtual tours of holy places and recreational sites in the Holy Land, as well as watch beautiful models suntan on the beach in Tel Aviv and Eilat.
A special report prepared by the ministry's information systems department shows that in the past eight months that the site has been in operation, it has received 900,000 visitors from 200 countries. Surprisingly, 18,254 of the visitors were Muslims, some of them Arabs, from countries that don't have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Such countries included Iran (2,600 visitors), Saudi Arabia (2,000 visitors), Lebanon (600 visitors), and Syria (300 visitors). Hits were also registered from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia, and Libya. The vast majority of the hits were through the American version of the site (www.goisrael.com ).
"We were very surprised," admitted Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog.
"It is likely that one of the reasons for is linked to the curiosity about Israel and about holy Muslim sites that exists in these countries. I am happy about the large number of hits from all over the world, and I have no doubt that the Internet sites increased Israel's exposure to tourists."