Tourism Ministry: increase in tourism if overnight Flights are allowed

Foreign carriers operating in Israel have welcome the proposal to allow overnight flights. The Ministry anticipate growth of 20% in the number of coming tourism
 
Shaul Zemach, IMOT Director-General hinted last week that expanding Ben-Gurion Airport's hours of operation while using new and quiet passenger aircraft will help increase the number of incoming tourists to Israel. He added that according to Tourism Ministry recent estimates over five million foreign tourists will visit Israel annually by 2012.
 
In a statement issued by theMinistry it noted that a growth of 20% in the number of incoming tourists within the next few months was anticipated.
 
The Ministry also noted that discussions are held on operating Ben Gurion Airport overnight with the heads of the Israel Aviation Authority and representatives of foreign airlines as part of the ministry's preparations for 2009.
 
The Tourism Ministry plans to bring the new initiative to the cabinet for approval in the next few months.
 
Foreign carriers operating in Israel have welcome the proposal to allow overnight flights as most airlines are interested in expanding the capacity of their flights to Israel.