|
|
Tourism is one of the most important branches of Israel's economy, but its significance is far greater than revenue and balance sheets. The single traveler, the organized tourist group, the member of a pilgrimage, delegates to its international conventions, students, young people working in the kibbutzim - all are potential ambassadors of goodwill, bringing Israel's message of peace and progress to their own countries.
On a global scale tourism is one of the most important factors in international trade.
In 1963 the International Union of Official Tourist Organizations of the United Nations decided to make a concentrated effort to further the cultural and economic aspects of international tourism; accordingly, the 21st General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 1967 International Tourist Year. The slogan adopted for the campaign was "Tourism - Passport to Peace."
Israel's tourist industry provides 18,000 jobs, many for professional and skilled personnel, trained at governmental or private vocational schools.
Every effort was made to guarantee high standards and fair prices to guests from abroad. These and other measures, such as simplification of passport, visa and general frontier facilities (on a basis of reciprocity with other tourist-minded countries) were taken to further the aims of the International Tourist Year.
