I am happy to report that tourism to Israel from Australia and New Zealand is maintaining significant growth.

The figures I have from the Israel Ministry of Tourism show that in this year up to July 31, 7,983 Australians visited Israel (73% up on 2003 levels) and 1,306 New Zealanders (72% up on 2003 levels).

World average growth of travel to Israel is 58%.

The most pleasing aspect of the trends are that the period after April 2003 saw strong growth after the Iraq war but the tourism numbers in 2004 are well above the improved levels of 2003.

On current indications Australian and New Zealand tourism to Israel is set for a significant recovery this year.

On behalf of the Israel Ministry of Tourism I would like to thank you all for being a part of the good news.

This month Israel hosted a group of 2,500 South Korean Christians, one of the largest single groups to ever visit Israel and certainly one of the largest ever group from the Asia Pacific region.

They were there to express support for Israel and promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite them having been dissuaded by the South Korean government from undertaking the visit, they did so in complete safety.

Australians and New Zealanders are used to their athletes winning medals at Olympic games and the outstanding results of the Australian and New Zealand teams in Athens reflect a long and glorious history of sporting achievement.

However, Israel finally achieved a national sporting first at the Athens Olympics when mistral sailor Gal Fridman won Israel's first ever olympic gold medal.

To maintain the sporting vein Israel plays host to the 10th Dead Sea XC Mountain Bike Race up Sdom Mountain, the world's only bicycle race up a mountain of salt.
For details check out www.svoong.co.il/mtb-deadsea/index.asp

For those of a more cultural bent, in March 20-24, 2005 The first International Maimonides Conference on Medicine and Ethics will be held in Tiberias where the famed rabbinical sage and medical ethicist was buried 800 years ago.
Details http://www.ortra.com/maimonides/

Never forget that the Israel Tourism Office is here to help with all those who have an interest in tourism to Israel.

Regards to all Jewish Australia readers

David Beirman
Director Israel Tourism Office
Australia-New Zealand & SW Pacific