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Israel and Russia Signed Mutual Agreements for the Cancellation of the Tourist Visa Requirement |
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In 2007, inbound tourism from Russia reached the third place among all countries from which tourists visit Israel. The new agreement may significantly increase the flow of tourists from this country into Israel A few days ago, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Israel and Russia signed a mutual agreement that cancels the tourist visa requirement. The agreement will come into force in 3 months, and tourist authorities in Israel expect it to cause a significant increase in the number of tourists coming from Russia to Israel. In 2007 there was a 163% increase in inbound tourism from Russia to Israel compared to 2006. Only last January there was an impressive increase of 256% in Russian tourists entering Israel compared to January of last year. This information shows that Russian tourism has the most significant potential to increase in number of entries into Israel. Israeli tourist authorities also estimate that the number of days a Russian tourist will stay in Israel will also increase significantly. According to the CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Shaul Tsemach, canceling the tourist visa requirement will bring an increase in the number of tourists from Russia within a few months up to a number of 300,000 a year, and the expected increase will bring the economical circulation to about 280 million dollars a year. At the end of March, the Ministry of Tourism will start a marketing campaign in Russia, at a cost of about a million dollars. This comes in addition to ongoing marketing activities at a cost of around 3 million dollars a year in this country. The campaign will last 3 months, and will include advertisements in different websites, radio stations and television stations .
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