Israel Ministry of Tourism Updates Travelers

With the crisis in the Middle East, the Israel Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24-hour hotline (011-972-3-520-7600) operated by representatives from the Ministry, the Israel Hotel Association, Tour Guide Associations and other tourism-related organizations to provide tourists and travel professionals with the latest information. Agents can also email questions to [email protected]. The U.S. office of the Israel Ministry of Tourism has also created an update on its web site, [www.goisrael.com], under the link "What today's headlines mean for tourists to Israel." Ruth Mekel, director of public relations, says the Ministry is advising travelers to change their itinerary and avoid the north. Clients can still travel to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and Eilat, and according to Mekel, hotels in the Dead Sea and Eilat are quite full.