'Not enough seats in flights to Israel'

Chinese travel agents are complaining that there is a seat shortage in flights to Israel and that visa applications take weeks to be handled thus hurting Chinese tourism in the Jewish state, Tourism Ministry Director-General Noaz Bar-Nir said.

Bar-Nir is currently visiting China and has signed a tourism cooperation deal with his Chinese counterpart Dao Suaming .

It was agreed that both countries will work together in order to encourage Chinese tourism in Israel and promote investments, joint projects and PR and ad campaigns.  

Bar-Nir promised his hosts that he will discuss the issue of entry visas with the Foreign and Interior ministries in order to find a solution which will provide an incentive for Chinese tourists to visit Israel.

The Israeli official also said he will meet with airline and Transportation Ministry representatives to check the possibility of expanding the airlines' operation in the China-Israel route.

There is generally a small amount of Chinese tourists visiting Israel. In 2009, only 10,000 Chinese citizens visited the Jewish state, including foreign workers.

• Follow Ynetnews on Facebook