Israel Ministry of Tourism Newsletter - June 2013

ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM  SOUTHERN REGION

ISRAEL FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN  JERUSALEM The 52nd annual Israel Festival is now underway in Jerusalem  -- featuring dance, music and theater performances by international and Israeli artists. The festival runs May 23  through June 22, 2013 in various venues throughout Jerusalem.  Performances are scheduled to include a collaborative dance performance of Goldlandbergs, featuring the Emmanuel Gat Dance Company in conjunction with Tel Aviv's Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater at the Jerusalem Theater, a concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring performed by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at the Henry Crown Concert Hall, and Dressed to Dance -- a unique dance performance featuring flamenco costumes from Madrid, several of which were designed by Dali and Picasso, to the accompaniment of live music at the Tower of David. WHEN IN ISRAEL... EXPERIENCE ISRAEL AS A LOCAL For travelers ready to experience life in Israel as a local, a unique experience awaits. Servas offers home hospitality  for independent travelers in Israel. Servas is geared towards travelers who want to understand how other people live, work and think, and who want to find out about the places they visit from the people who live there. Hosts and travelers reflect all ages and from all backgrounds. The association - a member of the United Nations-recognized global organization -- is run by volunteers in over 100 countries, working to build understanding, tolerance and world peace. NEW OUTDOOR PARK TO OPEN IN JERUSALEM The new "Teddy Park" is scheduled to open this summer in Mitchell Park beneath the Old City walls near Jerusalem's Jaffa Gate. Teddy Park commemorates the life and vision of Jerusalem's legendary Mayor Teddy Kollek. The Hassenfeld Family Fountain is the focal point of the park. The colorful display features computerized floodlit water performances accompanied by specially composed music created by the New Jerusalem Orchestra. The multimedia fountain will feature  free nightly sound, light and water performances. Teddy Park will also include a visitor's center with a 3D film depicting the development of Jerusalem during Kollek's tenure as mayor, a sun dial designed by Israeli artist Maty Grunberg, an eight-foot globe sculpture designed by British artist David Breur-Weil, and a family wishing-well made of Jerusalem stone. "WHITE NIGHTS" CELEBRATION IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS The 9th annual White Night celebrations is scheduled to take place on Thursday June 27, 2013, with numerous events throughout the city from 8:00 p.m. till sunrise the following morning.  The White Night celebrations commemorate the July 2003 UNESCO designation of the White City of Tel Aviv as a World Heritage site -- given its exceptional collection of International Style (Bauhaus) architecture, and the city's well-deserved reputation as a "city that never sleeps".  As part of White Night events, cultural and art centers, commercial establishments and clubs citywide will stay open late and outdoor performances will be held until twilight.  The events are open to the general public and are free-of-charge or a nominal fee. Tourists, visitors and locals are invited to enjoy a wide variety of special events. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS CELEBRATED IN HERZLIYA A summer program filled with sporting activities, and cultural and musical events is currently underway in the coastal resort town of Herzliya, located a short distance from Tel Aviv. Herzliya boasts seven kilometers of stunning beaches including a beach boardwalk, elevator and disabled access, the largest marina in the Mediterranean basin, hotels, three shopping malls, restaurants, bars and cafes and a vibrant entertainment area. Summer events include a Women's Triathalon, a beach festival featuring volleyball competitions, watersports, live DJs, and skate board and biking events. Other events include a beer festival, paddle board competition, a jet ski competition, and classical sunset music performances every Saturdayevening, and an End of Summer Beach party. ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM LAUNCHES NEW FACEBOOK VIDEO CONTEST The Israel Ministry of Tourism has launched a new Facebook contest offering winners two  non-stop roundtrip tickets to Israel on El Al Israel Airlines, and a seven nights' stay at the luxury Dan Hotel Chain. To enter the "Israel: Beyond Belief" contest, participants  must post their original videos (not more than 2 minutes long) showing why Israel is beyond belief. The contest runs through July 28, 2013. ISRAEL TOURISM MINISTRY LAUNCHES DEDICATED CONFERENCE  AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL WEBSITE The Israel Ministry of Tourism has recently launched a dedicated website aimed at the decision-makers and tourism specialists working in the c onference and incentive market. "Israel. One place. Endless Possibilities", is available in English and Russian, and includes videos, images, and detailed user-friendly information including contact details of relevant service providers and Israel Government Tourist Offices around the world.  Israel can accommodate conferences from 50 - 10,000 participants in hotels and universities with state-of-the-art convention facilities, through the depth and breadth of Israel's rich and varied landscape. Hotel accommodations are suited to all tastes and budgets - from luxury hotel chains in the main cities to spa resorts in Eilat, the Galilee and Dead Sea  and pastoral settings such as kibbutz guest houses and hotels. For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com or call us at 404-541-2770. Joe Diaz, Director Dana Shemesh Iriel Aloni, Office Manager Southern Region Marketing Director & Marketing assist. joediaz@imot.org danas@imot.org iriela@imot.org