Economy and Tourism

HAIFA-ACCO CRUISE LINE TO OPERATE FROM 15.3.2013. TOURISM MINISTRY WILL INVEST ABOUT
NIS 1 MILLION IN DEVELOPING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE CITIES’ PORTS.
THE EXPECTED OUTCOME TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS AND AN ANNUAL INJECTION OF ABOUT
NIS 10 MILLION IN THE ECONOMY

The Haifa-Acco cruise line will begin operations on 15 March 2013. This was agreed a few days ago by representatives of the Ministries of Tourism and Transport and the mayors of Haifa and Acco. The Tourism Ministry will invest about NIS 1 million in upgrading the infrastructure in the Haifa and Acco ports. The municipalities will help in marketing the cruise lines and including them in a combined ticket that offers tours to the tourist sites in Acco and Haifa. According to Tourism Ministry estimates, the line will attract tens of thousands of passengers and will inject about NIS 10 million into the economy. 
This will be the first time that a scheduled cruise line will operate between Haifa and Acco. Until now, tourists wishing to sail between the two ports had to make a special reservation. According to the program, there will be two sailings a day in each direction, about 30 minutes long, at a cost of a few tens of shekels a person. The cruise ship will set up to about 220 passengers.
 
The Tourism Ministry estimates a significant demand for cruise sailings in Israel. Based on surveys conducted by the ministry, it would appear that - based on the frequency, number of boats and sailing days – the average number of passengers will reach 60,000 a year, bringing an income into the economy of about NIS 10 million.
 
Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: “The tourist attraction of a cruise line will expand the tourism product in the area, lengthen the amount of time the tourist remains in the area and encourage economic activities in Acco and Haifa. The cruise sailings will serve tourists, independent travelers and Israelis on vacation that will be able to enjoy the panoramic view of the Haifa Bay.”