“I thank the countries that supported us,” said Minister of Tourism Haim Katz. “We continue to promote tourism initiatives and collaborations that contribute to international relations and incoming tourism to Israel. Tourism is a bridge between peoples, and we have a lot to offer. We will continue to represent the State of Israel with honor and ensure the promotion of our tourism interests.”

Under the leadership of Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Israel has been elected for a second consecutive term to the United Nations Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Working Group for the Europe Agenda. The election took place today during the 71st meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, held in Azerbaijan.

Minister Katz is currently participating in the conference in Azerbaijan with the aim of further advancing Israel’s standing as a full member of the organization.

The influential forum to which Israel has been re-elected plays a crucial role in determining tourism policy and cooperation across all European nations. Membership in this group is considered vital for promoting Israel’s tourism interests on the continent.

Israeli officials emphasized that the nation’s presence in international organizations is essential for encouraging incoming tourism and strengthening its diplomatic position. Minister Katz’s initial push for Israel’s full membership in the UNWTO notably paved the way for his historic visit to Saudi Arabia for a UNWTO event approximately two years ago.

During the conference in Azerbaijan, Minister Katz held a series of meetings with his counterparts from Azerbaijan and various European countries. In these discussions, he highlighted the resilience of the Israeli tourism industry, particularly during the ongoing conflict, and actively campaigned for Israel’s election to the working group.

“I thank the countries that supported us,” said Minister of Tourism Haim Katz. “We continue to promote tourism initiatives and collaborations that contribute to international relations and incoming tourism to Israel. Tourism is a bridge between peoples, and we have a lot to offer. We will continue to represent the State of Israel with honor and ensure the promotion of our tourism interests.”

Israel’s successful election is the result of a dedicated campaign conducted in recent months by the Ministry of Tourism, under Minister Katz’s direction, with significant assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit also underscores the important diplomatic relations between Israel and Azerbaijan, with the Minister’s presence in Baku further strengthening these ties. As part of his working visit, Minister Katz also met with members of the local Jewish community.