CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2012 ESTIMATE: ABOUT 75,000 TOURISTS WILL VISIT ISRAEL FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, OF WHOM 25,000 WILL BE CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS

TOURISM MINISTER STAS MISEZHNIKOV WILL WELCOME THE LEADERS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES IN ISRAEL IN A TRADITIONAL PRE-CHRISTMAS RECEPTION, 17.12.12

 Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: “About 60% of all visitors to Israel are Christian. The Christian community is a central anchor in marketing incoming tourism to Israel. Throughout the year, the Tourism Ministry works with the communities in Israel and overseas to increase cooperation with opinion-formers, community leaders and the faithful in order to promote and develop pilgrimage to the Holy Land”.

 Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov will host the traditional pre-Christmas reception for leaders of the Christian communities and churches in Israel at Mishkenot Sha’ananim in Jerusalem on Monday, 17 December at 11:00. The minister will send season’s greetings for Christmas to the Christian communities and the Christian leaders present will call on the faithful around the world to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Also participating in the reception alongside the Christian leaders will be the Director-General of the Tourism Ministry Noaz Bar-Nir, senior representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Interior who work in cooperation with the Tourism Ministry throughout the year to promote tourism on the Jerusalem-Bethlehem-Jericho track.

  According to Tourism Ministry estimates, about 75,000 tourists will visit Israel during the Christmas period. Of these about 25,000 will be Christian pilgrims. During the holiday, the Ministry of Tourism will offer free transportation, helping pilgrims travelling between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Buses will leave every 15-20 minutes from Mar Elias Monastery to the Church of the Nativity, and back again and will operate non-stop from 24 December at 12:00 through 25 December at 12:00. Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism will welcome tourists and pilgrims at Rachel’s Crossing with sweets and cards in the spirit of the holiday.

 The Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov will also host a reception for Church leaders and representatives in Nazareth, with the participation of the Director-General of the Tourism Ministry Noaz Bar-Nir and the Mayor of Nazareth Ramiz Jaraisy. The reception will take place at the Gardenia Hotel Nazareth on 19.12.12 at 18:00.

To date, the year 2012 will end as a new record year for incoming tourism. About 3.3 million visitors arrived in Israel up to the end of November 2012, and of these 60% were Christian tourists (52% Catholic; 21% Protestant and 10% Orthodox). About half of all Christian tourists are pilgrims. Most of the Christian visitors to Israel also visit Bethlehem passing through Rachel’s Crossing and the various offices work to facilitate a welcoming, fast and comfortable transfer every day of the year.

According to the ministry’s 2011Incoming Tourism Satisfaction Survey, about 87% of pilgrims were first-time visitors. Most pilgrims visit Capernaum, Yardenit, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa and Bethlehem. Source countries where pilgrims represent a very high rate among those visiting include: Indonesia (83%); Nigeria (82%); Poland (69%); Portugal (59%), Romania (57%); India (50% and Brazil (49%).

Schedule of events for Christmas in Jerusalem and Nazareth:

Monday 17.12.12

11:00               Traditional pre-Christmas reception hosted by the Tourism Minister and the Tourism Ministry for leaders of the Christian communities and churches in Israel at Mishkenot Sha’ananim         

Wednesday, 19.12.12

18:00               Traditional reception and concert for Christmas and the New Year held by the Tourism Ministry and the Nazareth Municipality, in the presence of Church leaders from all denominations, tourists, locals etc.

                       Ministry of Tourism and Mayor of Nazareth host annual reception together with Church leaders at Salesian Church. In the program, a special concert conducted by Imad abu Sinni together with singer Georgite Nofi.

Monday, 24.12.12

15:30               Traditional parade of thousands of youth from youth movements, together with the leaders of the Christian communities, through the main street of Nazareth.

17:15               Firework display, sponsored by the Tourism Ministry, to announce the opening of the festive Christmas celebrations

19:30               Christmas Mass

Tuesday, 25.12.12

All Catholic Churches have Mass. At the Church of the Annunciation the first Mass will begin at 07:00. At 10:00, a festive Mass will take place.