Rural Tourism in Israel is Growing at a Rate of 5% a Year

Approximately 8,000 rural guestrooms are scattered throughout Israel today, mostly in the periphery, as opposed to only around 500 rooms 10 years ago.

The growth of rural tourism in Israel has recently picked up steam. Each year, the Ministry of Tourism receives 300 applications of entrepreneurs asking to set up rural guestrooms. As part of the Ministry's attempts to encourage the growth of rural tourism, entrepreneurs receive consulting and support in building.

In the past year, 4 million NIS were allocated to 38 entrepreneurs in the north of Israel, designed for erecting 180 new rural guestrooms. The growth in the scope of rural tourism can also be seen in unique ethnic groups such as the Druze, Circassians and Bedouins. Approximately 60% of rural tourism entrepreneurs in Israel are women. The annual volume of this type of tourism reaches 1.5 million NIS.

The variety of offers in the field of rural tourism enables tourists and holidaymakers to choose guestrooms such as home-, authentic- or exclusive-style rooms, romantic log cabins, family unit, staying in a traditional Bedouin tent and other such options. The largest increase in the number of rural guestrooms has been in the periphery. This phenomenon also brings an increase in additional tourism services in these areas, such as restaurants, attractions, leisure activities and other tourist businesses. The development of rural tourism also leads to infrastructure developments in these settlements: promenades, hiking paths, bike paths and more.

CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Shaul Tsemach, referred to the increase of rural tourism in Israel and said that this branch is a profitable income in the periphery, and is a financial driving force that promotes businesses and workplaces. He said that "The Ministry of Tourism will continue to accompany, guide and invest in the development of rural tourism, which enables the tourist visiting Israel and the Israeli tourist to have a quality holiday in Israel."
 

February 11, 2008

Brosh Habik'a rural guesthouse in Bikat Hayarden

A rustic cabin in Kibbutz Nir David