Today (April 3rd, 2024) the international tourism exhibition – IMTM opened with the aim of supporting Israeli tourism in the days of the war. The exhibition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, is celebrating its 30th year: about 80 booths, dozens of exhibitors from Israel and abroad, around 15 countries, dozens of senior officials and ambassadors. The red ribbon cutting ceremony was held with senior officials including: Minister of Tourism – Mr. Haim Katz, President of the Incoming Tour Operators Association in Israel and one of the initiatives of the IMTM tourism exhibition – Mr. Lior Gelfand, the publisher of I.T.N. and the one initiatives of the IMTM exhibition –  Mr. Eyal Shmueli, the Director General of the Israel Tourism Bureau – Mr. Yossi Fattal, the president of the hotel association – Mr. Eli Cohen, the CEO of the hotel association – Ms. Yael Danieli.

The annual international tourism exhibition – IMTM 2024 (International Mediterranean Tourism Market), opened today (April 3rd, 2024) for the 30th time in Pavilion 2 at EXPO Tel Aviv. Following the ‘Iron Swords’ war, outbound domestic tourism was almost completely stopped, and the existence of the IMTM exhibition is part of the restoration of the tourism industry, which needs more than ever a start-up and growth. Despite the war, a variety of countries are taking part in the exhibition in order to attract the Israeli tourist. This year, dozens of exhibitors, about 80 booths and about 15 countries came to the exhibition. Among the delegations that are participating in the exhibition this year: Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Romania, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, France, El Salvador, Czech Republic, Greece, Panama, Ethiopia and more.

Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haim Katz: “My goal is to flourish tourism, which is significant for the Israeli economy. We have acted and we are still acting in front of the Knesset’s Economy Committee and the Ministry of Tourism under my leadership, is working in every possible way to preserve the existing one and allow for a quick recovery the day after the financial crisis, in order to ensure that essential industrial workers will not be harmed due to the special situation that the entire country is going through. We continue to invest many resources in upgrading the tourist sites throughout the country and improving the experience The tourist. The number of tourists who enter Israel every day is gradually increasing. On October 8, about 26 tourists arrived in Israel, while yesterday we already reached over 4,000 tourists”.

Eyal Shmueli, initiator of the IMTM 2023 International Tourism Exhibition: “Despite the war and the challenging days that the State of Israel is experiencing, we are proud to open the IMTM 2024 International Tourism Exhibition for the 30th year. This year, it was especially important for us to hold the exhibition as a series in order to support Israeli tourism, since we see it as a significant milestone that can help small and large businesses alike. Along with local tourism, a variety of countries have come to support Israel and we are very happy to host them at the exhibition”.

Mr. Lior Gelfand, one of the organizers of the IMTM exhibition: “I call on you from this stage – convince the Israeli government and the Treasury to bring tourists to the country, it is a national mission. Its importance is not only in the restoration of the industry and the revitalization of the infrastructure, but in Israel’s ability to restore its international image and position.

To the exhibition website – www.imtm.co.il

Photo : Boris Tamnik