The Red Sea resort of Eilat will offer 35 festivals and cultural events to the hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to arrive in Eilat during the five-month winter season. These tourists, who will arrive on 45 weekly flights from all over Europe, will be joined by millions of Israeli visitors to the resort over the winter season 2019/2020.

These include, among others: electronic music, Greek music, underwater photography, graffiti and wine. 14 of the festivals will be produced through a tender of the Eilat Tourism Corporation and will be marketed worldwide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Sara Salansky, senior director of the overseas department and marketing administration said, “The Israel Ministry of Tourism invests significantly in developing the tourism product in Eilat. Alongside the revolution in the numbers of foreign carriers flying into Eilat, we are marketing rich and varied events that will make the tourist’s stay even more enjoyable.”

The festivals will be produced within the framework of a seasonal international festival, which will run from November 2019 through April 2020 and will offer a wide variety of international cultural events. This is a joint initiative of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the Eilat Tourism Corporation, the Eilat Municipality and the Eilat Hotels Association which has been in the planning stages over the last three years. The aim of the festival is to enhance Eilat’s branding around in the world as a vibrant cultural tourism destination, which offers tourists not just year-round sunshine and marvelous beaches, but also international cultural events from a wide variety of fields and styles, which will appeal to all ages and all kinds of entertainment and cultural preferences. The Israel Ministry of Tourism will promote the festivals as part of its international marketing campaign for Eilat, while the Eilat Tourism Corporation will target domestic tourism with special offers, accommodation packages etc.

Yossi Chen, CEO, Eilat Tourism Corporation: “Tens of millions of shekels will be invested in the new brand. We have built a rich and exciting mix of festivals and cultural events that emphasize the advantages of Eilat in the winter. No tourist will come to the resort during the warm winter months of November – April and be unable to find something to suit his personal taste. Not only a unique and enchanting natural pearl, Eilat will now offer visitors more international events and performances that will make their vacation unforgettable.”

Bids for the production of 14 new international festivals have recently been published, including, among others, festivals of electronic music, Greek music, diving and underwater photography, international fashion, street art, Instagram, graffiti, desert wine, guitar and more. This, in addition to about 20 international festivals that already take place in the resort during the winter season, including the Winter Jazz Festival, the Eilat Chamber Music Festival, the Eilat Festival of Street Theater and more.