OECD selects Jerusalem to host its 86th tourism conference

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently announced that Jerusalem will be hosting its annual Tourism Committee Conference in October of this year.
 
This will be the first OECD event held in Israel since it was welcomed into the prestigious economic consortium in May. It will also be the first time ever that the Tourism Committee Conference is held outside of Paris.
 
The conference carries both prestige and special importance, given the decision by OECD leaders to deviate from tradition and not hold the meeting in Paris. “The choice of Israel, and in particular Jerusalem, is a vote of confidence in the Israeli tourism industry and its economy", said the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
 
Fifty tourism ministers and representatives from member states and other countries will participate in the three-day conference. This 86th meeting of the OECD Tourism Committee Conference will focus on developing “green tourism,” the ecological effects on tourism, and identifying green business opportunities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Governor of the Bank of Israel Prof. Stanley Fischer, President Shimon Peres will also be attending.
 
Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov said, “The positive image gained will have an effect on the tourist’s choice to visit Israel and it will attract foreign investors to the country, including, among others, investors in tourism."