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- Written by Jonathan Danilowitz
Next week (on the 10th February), for the 21st successive year, the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) will open at the congress center of the Tel Aviv fairgrounds.
The gala event, which takes place every year and lasts for two days, showcases Israeli and international tourist attractions in an ideal setting. Countries from around the world have stands and booths were exhibitors from those countries can present themselves to Israeli and world visitors to the fair.
Similarly, a wide range of Israeli tourist attractions and companies (some representing, and acting as agents for, international players in the tourist market) are displayed for the thousands of fair visitors.
Israel Travel News (ITN – publishers of tourism magazines, websites and newsletters) and ORTRA (Israel's premier conference organizers) are behind this successful project which has grown in leaps and bounds from year to year.
ITN, hand-in-hand with ORTRA, facilitate and organize the event which includes not only the actual displays, but meetings, lectures and live presentations (some by invitation only) on issues that interest tour operators, guides, tourist organizations, the diplomatic corps, and of course – a public hungry for information on exciting tourist destinations.
One of the desirable "by invitation only" events is the lavish pre-opening breakfast on the first day, exclusively for ambassadors of the diplomatic corps serving in Israel. All ambassadors have already received an invitation and the responses ("RSVP") are flowing in. Ambassadors who have not yet responded are reminded to do so as soon as possible.
Each year new exhibitors join the fair to benefit from the exposure. This year, a series of start-ups under the title of "Digital Travel Dome" (designated separately in the glossy catalog distributed free to all attendees) display the ingenuity of the start-up nation – Israel – in the field of digital apps that make finding information on your smartphone soooo easy. If for no other reason (and there are plenty of other reasons), make sure you get your catalog when you visit the fair.
Cross-border travel is the hallmark of peaceful coexistence. Israel-Arab exhibitors at IMTM are already well represented. Perhaps tourism will be the flashpoint of peace in the Middle East? Perhaps for world peace as well? Only time will tell.
Representatives from www.diplomacy.co.il will be at IMTM 2015. We hope to see you there.
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- Written by KKL
Aerial map of Rosh Tzippor, which looks like a bird's head. Photo: Yoav Devir
On December 18th, a ceremony was held to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the new Rosh Tzippor bird-watching center to be established in the forest with the support of the Besen Family Foundation and Friends of JNF Australia. Among those present were KKL-JNF officials, the Mayor of Tel Aviv, the Australian Ambassador to Israel and relatives of the donors.
"Residents of central Israel deserve to have a green area that will be accessible to everyone. The bird-watching center will add another natural gem to Yarkon Park," said KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler at the ceremony. In his speech he recalled the task that JNF Australia had taken upon themselves in the wake of the Maccabiah disaster: to work for the rehabilitation of the Yarkon River. "In those most difficult times the community displayed exceptional generosity of spirit," said the world chairman.
KKL-JNF began to plant the Rosh Tzippor (Hebrew for bird's head) Forest in the 1950s, and work still continues there today. The first trees to be planted were eucalypti, themselves natives of Australia. In recent years, however, local varieties such as Tabor oak, Judas trees and two species of mastic tree have been added to the mix.
Aerial map of Rosh Tzippor, which looks like a bird's head. Photo: Yoav Devir
The forest has dense undergrowth and it is home to a variety of songbirds and waterfowl. These, however, are not the source of its name, which derives instead from the shape of the forest: when viewed from the air it has the appearance of a bird's head with an eye in the appropriate spot.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, a former pilot and commander in the Israeli Air Force, is probably long familiar with the landscape of the park as seen from above. In his present capacity as mayor, he is well aware of the park's special importance to the residents of his city. "This park is a miracle, a green oasis surrounded by fast highways and urban development," he told those present at the ceremony.
The mayor added that the site is one of the most frequently visited in the country. And, indeed, on a weekday morning the park is thronged with people: cyclists, joggers, groups of schoolchildren, courting couples and parents with baby buggies.
The park is crisscrossed by a number of walking routes, cycle paths and jogging trails. The easier footpaths are suitable for family outings and accessible to people with disabilities; children will enjoy the zip lines, rope bridges, roundabouts, seesaws and wooden climbing equipment in the adventure playground.
Other places to visit in Rosh Tzippor Forest include the historic Seven Mills (Sheva Tahanot) site, where water mills constructed along the banks of the Yarkon River in the 19th century remained in use until around a hundred years ago. On Napoleon Hill the remains of settlements dating back thousands of years can be seen.
Right: Eva & Marc Besen, Efi Stenzler, and H.E. Dave Sharma sign the document to be placed in the cornerstone. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive.
Left: Birds on the Yarkon River. Photo: Yoav Devir
Australian Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said that on his travels around the country he had been greatly impressed by everything Israel has managed to achieve in such a short time against all the odds. "Thanks to the active Zionist Jewish community of Australia and its collaboration with KKL-JNF, we have had the privilege of taking part in the building of the State," he added.
The main contribution towards the establishment of the bird-watching center was donated by the Besen Family Foundation of Melbourne, and over thirty members of the family took part in the ceremony. Foremost among them were Marc Besen, who celebrated his 90th birthday in the course of the visit, and his wife Eva.
"Our family has grown since our last visit to Israel, and the State, too, has grown and developed," said Mr. Besen. "We are very happy to be here playing a modest role in making the region green and contributing in a small way towards the growth of the State of Israel as a whole."
Australian donors Geoffrey and Velmae Morris of Perth were likewise present at the ceremony. "I learned from my father that Israel is our native land and our second home, and everything we can do for the State brings us great happiness," said Geoffrey Morris. "I regard the rehabilitation of the Yarkon River as a particularly important project, and, of course, developing nature tourism in Israel is vital, too."
The list of Australian donors who contributed to the establishment of the bird-watching center includes the Ferster and Schaffer families, the estate of Stephen and Rita Gerstl, Sussanne Pinkus and Esta Blashid; an additional donation was made by the Beer-Gabel family of France.
After the speeches were over, all those present made their way to the spot where the foundation stone would be laid. Before the hole was covered up with cement, the participants filled it with documents bearing their signatures in order to mark the establishment of this new site.
Architect Gidon Sarig presented the plans for the bird-watching center, Dr. David Pergament, Director of the Yarkon River Authority, told those present about the park and the rehabilitation of the waterway, and the day's activities concluded with a tour of Yarkon Park in a vehicle resembling a motorized train. Like the residents of Tel Aviv and its surrounds and visitors from all over the country, the Australian guests enjoyed the lake, the tropical garden, the rock garden, the park landscapes and the riverbank scenes.
- Details
- Written by Silvia G Golan
Photo Mayor of Hertzlia City Moshe Fadlon and Mr Sandeep walia
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. opened its first hotel in Israel, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel on Sunday, December 15, 2013.
This new luxurious hotel that is the firth kosher Ritz-Carlton in the world , has 115 spacious guest rooms and 82 residential apartments, and it is located at Herzliya's Marina.
Distinguished guests were in the opening event included Ofra Strauss, owner of the Strauss Group and his family, Ami Federman, President of the Israel Hotel Association, Stas Misezhikov, former Israel's Minister of Tourism, Ran Rahav, communication and PR figure in Israel.
Photo Ofra Strauss & Gadi Hassin the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel Manager
Mr. Gadi Hassin, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel Manager said: "We are excited to join the international Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company and proud to launch the first hotel of this network in Israel. The Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company brings to Israel new standards in the field of luxury hotels. Now everything is ready to make the stay of our guests an unforgettable experience, as suitable to the high standard presented by the network and reflected in our request to our guests: "Let us stay with you". Our service enables an extraordinary hospitality that meets the needs of each customer. This is our worldly identification mark, expected by the guests who return to us".
Photo Adi Strauss
Mr. Hervé Humler, President & COO of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said: "The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is pleased to open its first hotel in Israel, and provide to our guests from the entire world the opportunity to enjoy legendary service and prize-winning hospitality. The hotel location in Herzliya combines the unique possibility of business and pleasure. The sea coast along an established business area will provide our world-wide guests a luxurious and extraordinary experience".
Photo Gil Geva
Accommodation and Services
The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel with very selected team offers the following accommodation and services:
· 115 spacious guest rooms
· 82 residential apartments
· Spa - joint venture with Shiseido spas
· Fitness centre
· Rooftop pool and bar
· Business and events facilities
· Herbert Samuel Herzliya restaurant - Yonatan Roshfeld offers modern Israeli cuisine in Kosher version. This makes the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel the only one with Kosher cuisine in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
· Lobby lounge
Address and Communication Means
Address:
The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel
4 Hashunit St.
Herzliya 46555, Israel
Telephone:
+ 972 9 373 5555
Website:
www.ritzcarlton.com/herzliya
Photos by Silvia G.Golan
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