Eilat keeps the beat with various festivals

Eilat Triathlon (October 28-29) – A predecessor to the European Triathlon in Eilat attracting amateur and professional athletes from around the world: www.triathlon.org.il/en

Epson Red Sea World of Underwater Images Competition (November 14-19) – A leading photography competition attracting photographers around the world to the Red Sea: www.eilatredsea.com

Youth Sailing World Championship (December 27) – Eilat will host this world-class sailing championship for the first-time ever prior to the 2012 London Olympics: www.sailing.org/34795.php

Red Sea Music Festival (January 5-7, 2012) – Featuring world-renowned Maestro Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Choir, Children's Choir and orchestra of the Mariinsky Opera Company: www.redsea-classic.co.il

Winter Red Sea Jazz Festival (January 2012) – A follow-up to this summer's legendary Red Sea Jazz Festival featuring Israeli and international jazz music artists and ensembles: www.redseajazzeilat.com

Israman Competition (January 20-21) – The 2012 Israman competition will challenge travelers and athletes from around the world with a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in the seaside resort town of Eilat. www.israman.co.il

European Triathlon Championships (April 19-22) – Thousands of athletes are expected to participate in this world-renowned triathlon along Eilat's Red Sea shoreline. www.triathlon.org.il

"We are excited to host a new slew of festivals and competitions in Eilat, which will provide some additional excitement for travelers arriving in Israel through next spring," said Haim Gutin, Israel commissioner for Tourism, North and South America.

Also, Israel will open a new international airport in Timna, just 11 miles north of the southern seaside resort town of Eilat in late summer 2014.

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