Israel goes beyond just the Holy Land. A tiny speck on the world map, this country has been blessed with all the charms of nature, from mountains to the seas. Discover the hidden and the obvious at your own pace in Israel, an interesting blend of the classic and the contemporary By Reema Lokesh
The image that Israel reflects in the general psyche is that of a land that is war stricken and dangerous, with gunmen and the army being the ones who dominate the streets. Tourism to a region with such an image is definitely a far cry. But the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) decided to go ahead and experience what Israel has to offer and interestingly so what they saw and experienced was a country that is an antithesis to the preconceived image. Bearing this in mind, they decided to hold their annual convention this February in the country. There is no denying that the Promised Land has its share of anti-social elements but it is also a place that is high on security giving you a sense of safety without feeling claustrophobic. I was on a trip with the TAFI team led by its president Zakir Ahmed Kalarikkal who interestingly noted, “There were no cops on the streets or armed personnel to make us feel intimated or rather unsafe. I feel totally safe here like any other tourism designation.”
A safe destination, Israel is ready to offer the tourist an insightful experience into its world of culture and cuisine. From Poland to Persia and from Chile to Casablanca, Israel is home to every nationality and is a classic melting pot of cultures. This experience begins in fact from the start of the journey itself, as the national carrier El Al’s slogan declares itself as ‘It’s not just an airline it’s Israel’. As airline partners, the Israeli experience starts from the sky. After completing the ground formalities with the airline it is time to say Shalom (peace and greeting in Hebrew, the country’s official language). While on board, it is clearly apparent that Indians are adored in Israel. From warm smiles to genuine admiration for India, the Israeli Sabra (Israeli by birth) or the immigrants consider India and Indians as special. Urvashi Dogra, committee member, TAFI, rightly adds, “Israel is exotic and Indians are truly loved here. Ani Oevet Hodu, (I love India) is what a lot of Israelis told me on few of my casual walks on the streets of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, at the Dead Sea or at Tiberias in the north.”
Diverse offerings
To strengthen the bonds of friendship further, the TAFI team was welcomed by the Indian national anthem and the Indian flag being hoisted at one of the tourist spots in the north of Israel. The magical experience of seeing your country’s flag fluttering alongside the Israeli flag on a catamaran in the Sea of Galilee was patriotic. Israel has a unique significance for three faiths of the world, for the Jews it’s their promised land, for the Christians it’s where Christ was born and for the Muslims it is a place that is special. But for the tourist, Israel is a perfect blend of the ancient and modern. It is more than just a pilgrimage hotspot. From the exhilarating nightlife in Tel Aviv to the soul stirring spiritual warmth of Jerusalem, from an experiential stay in the Kibbutz to a must do floating act in the Dead Sea, the country is compact enough to experience it all.
Israel can have its own significance to people. For Teddy Thomas, committee member, TAFI and Gladvyn Pinto, executive secretary general, TAFI its significance is both touristic as well as spiritual, for Bharat Shah, chairman, TAFI Jerusalem Convention and Pradip Lulla, national general secretary, TAFI the country is historic yet modern with state-of-the-art technology and services, while for foodies it offers diverse cuisines that are a treat to their taste buds. Primarily Mediterranean in its appeal, the Israeli cuisine gets its inspiration from a host of regions. From falafel and shawarma to cuisines from Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, you can find it all in the region. As for wine lovers, they should definitely enjoy the home grown red and white wines. Take a wine, pilgrim or education route along with the Kibbutz experiential journey or just stay afloat in the Dead Sea, the choice is yours.
Israel is waiting to pleasantly surprise you at TAFI 2015
The Israel Ministry of Tourism, India office, which set base in Mumbai in 2014 are the new kids on the block representing a region and culture which is regarded as the Land of Creation. The Mumbai team led by Hassan Madah, director, India, Israel Ministry of Tourism along with Judah Samuel, director of marketing-India, Israel Ministry of Tourism are all set to welcome the TAFI delegates to their 2015 convention in Jerusalem from February 22-25 and are glad to showcase Israel to a potential delegation for tourism enhancement between India and Israel. Madah states, “Come over to our small country with big attractions. From history, culture, art, architecture, nature, agriculture, wilderness to the night life we have it all. Our size is an advantage as you can travel from north to south and east to west soaking in varied experiences rather seamlessly. Lior Zoref ,a motivational speaker, has confirmed his presence at the convention.” Samuel adds, “The Holy Land is blessed and we are awaiting our TAFI delegates to showcase the wonders of this unique country on earth.” Though new entrants in the space, they have a clear vision to build tourism interactions between the two countries from MICE to leisure. Speaking about the convention, Zakir Ahmed Kalarikkal, president, TAFI, says, “Who would have imagined that TAFI would have organised its annual convention in Jerusalem, Israel. But such is the enormous power of change, that what earlier seemed impossible, has today become a reality. TAFI has always believed in being a path breaker and it is under this guiding principle that it has scheduled its annual convention in Israel, which has for long been a historical, spiritual and cultural international hub. The people of Israel are warm, sincere and friendly. TAFI has received letters of endorsement and support from the Israel Tourist Board, the Mayor of Jerusalem, the Indian ambassador to Israel, assuring us and promising a heartfelt welcome. TAFI 2015 convention is scheduled to be held at the ICC (Jerusalem International Convention Centre), with Dan Jerusalem and Crowne Plaza as hospitality partners.
Top 10 must do’s in Israel
- Visit Jerusalem – the land of creation, history, heritage and hope
- Visit Nazareth, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee for its history and charm
- The Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa, comprise a staircase of 19 terraces extending all the way up to the northern slope of Mount Carmel
- Stay afloat in the Dead Sea region. Indulge in some therapeutic treatments, which work for your skin. Definitely rub the black mud before you venture into the sea. Remember – no swimming, only staying afloat at the lowest point on the earth
- Enjoy the Tel Aviv buzz, from its nightlife to the beach promenade and activities along the coast. It is also recognised by UNESCO as the white city. Once in Tel Aviv, the old Yafo city visit makes for some interesting ancient walks and trails
- The Kibbutz is an experience indeed. Living at one gets you up close and personal with its life and living
- A trip to the local markets ‘Shukah Carmel’ in Tel Aviv takes you into the heart of the local flavours and aromas
- Visit the historic fortress of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stories of bravery and sacrifice awaits you in that region. Enjoy the picturesque journey into wilderness and the Judean deserts to reach Masada
- If time is on your hand, then the north of Israel is unique – from the snow capped experience in Mount Hermon to a visit to Acre, its heritage, culture and nature
- In the southern most tip of Israel rests Eilat, a resort city at the Red Sea