Page 10 - Discover Israel Magazine - UK edition 2018
P. 10
Hula. Photos: Israel Tourism's
Flickr Photostream
spiritual capital of Jerusalem. Environmental thanks to the natural wonders of the Dead The State of Israel in 2018 is a thoroughly
innovations made it possible to keep the Sea, as well as its highly advanced medical modern and Western country, with a
beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, facilities. The coastal towns of Israel, with Tel rich historical and cultural legacy. Israel’s
with wildlife crossings and new forests laid Aviv in the lead, are drawing more and more economic engine is the innovation it brings to
along the road. 2018 will also hail a new and partygoers looking for a good time, from
rapid train linking Ben Gurion Airport with great restaurants to booming nightlife. Tel Caesarea antiquities and beach
the capital, so future tourists will enjoy a Aviv is one of the hedonistic capitals of the
swift and pleasant ride between Israel’s two world, proudly vying for the title alongside Pedalling down the promenade. Photo: Kfir Bolotin
major cities and tourist hubs, Tel Aviv and many well-established European capitals on
Jerusalem. the High Life circuit. The events surrounding
the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade have become
In the 1950s and 60s, up until the Six Day a must-visit for tens of thousands of revellers
War, tourists who visited Israel were few and from Europe and around the globe.
far between - approximately 50,000 a year,
most of them on state visits, official business Israel is geographically well placed between
or diplomatic missions. Tourism as we know Europe, Africa and Asia, right on the Great
it today was in its infancy, and limited to Rift Valley, with highly diverse natural
Christian and Jewish holy sites. habitats. Despite its small size, the country
boasts a wide range of species, and even
The outcome of the Six Day War, which holds several world records in the number
allowed access to the Old City of Jerusalem, of species per acre. Birdwatchers flock to
brought about a major rise in tourism. Israel Israel to watch migratory birds and record
invested significantly in tourist infrastructure, rare endemic species. A major birdwatching
both around the country and most notably centre is the Hula Valley, providing a unique
in Jerusalem. Holy sites were upgraded experience watching cranes and many other
and new museums opened, while in the birds, while Eilat and the Arava boast another
coastal cities many hotels and seashore thrilling show of migration and sightings in
promenades were built. record-breaking numbers. The European
Honey Buzzard and the Lesser Spotted
From the 80s onwards, tourism in Israel Eagle fly over Israel in huge numbers. During
became much more diverse, with a wide their migration season (September and
range of tourist attractions alongside the October), nearly the entire world population
more traditional religious and historic sites. of these two species can be spotted over
Israel became the focal point of medical Israel, some days even as many as 50,000
tourism, drawing thousands of tourists birds flying in the skies.
D I S C O V E R I S R A E L 10
