srael expects a doubling of the tourist flow from Ukraine after visa-free travel between the two countries comes into effect in the first half of February 2011, the first secretary of the Embassy of Israel in Ukraine, Mark Dovev, said at a press conference dedicated to the opening of Days of Culture of Israel in Sevastopol on Monday.
"After the introduction of the visa-free travel between Ukraine and Israel at the beginning of the next year we, I’m speaking about the Israeli side, expect a doubling of the flow of Ukrainian tourists to our country. Tourism for Israel is, if not the main source, but one of the most important sources of revenues for the national budget of the country. The tourism is very important for us: the state is making huge investments in the development of tourism in Israel. This mean new jobs, taxes for the national budget, this is the [promotion of] the image of Israel," he said.
In addition, the first secretary of the Embassy of Israel said that "at the beginning of October, the Israeli tourism minister will pay working visits to Kyiv and Odesa. On the agenda is strengthening the ties between the two countries."
