World journalists to meet in Israel

As many as 100 leading US and Canadian travel journalists, broadcasters, photographers and filmmakers expected to arrive in Holy Land in January as part of Freelance Council of the Society of American Travel Writers meeting

Reuters | Published: 09.19.11, 08:37

The Freelance Council of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) will meet in Israel in January 2012.

As many as 100 leading US and Canadian travel journalists, broadcasters, photographers and filmmakers are expected to spend a week and more touring Israel from north to south.

The meeting opens in Tel Aviv on January 19 and will comprise council meetings as well as in-depth touring opportunities throughout the country.

SATW is the world's largest organization of travel journalists and travel promoters, and destinations worldwide compete fiercely to attract its attention.

SATW has held two conventions in Israel - in 1983 and 1998, but the 2012 meeting will be the first ever attended purely by the travel journalists who have the power to persuade and change consumers' minds about where to travel.

"We are thrilled to welcome the SATW Freelance Council to Israel," says Haim Gutin, Israel tourism commissioner, North and South America, "and we'll be ensuring that the participants have the opportunity to see the beauty, inspiration, excitement and sophistication Israel offers."

The year 2010 was the best ever for tourism to Israel, a remarkable phenomenon at a time when tourism to many destinations – domestic and international - has been devastated as a result of the global economic slowdown.