Tourism industry sources are worried that all recently established models will be changed to conform to Israel Beiteinu’s ideology.
MK Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) was today appointed minister of tourism, to replace Isaac Herzog, who was appointed Minister of Social Welfare last week. Tourism industry sources are worried that all recently established models, including a model priority investment areas based on a report by Ernst & Young, will be changed to conform to Israel Beiteinu’s ideology.
The priority investment areas model excludes settlements in the West Bank, focusing instead on the Galilee and Jerusalem, as well as rural tourism in Arab communities. The Ministry of Tourism is worried that investments in Arab communities and other development plans will be tossed aside because Tartman will oppose them.
Two weeks ago, Herzog visited the Arab coastal town of Jasr a-Zarqa, north of Caesarea, where he promised to establish tourism ventures. The Ministry of Tourism also supports projects in Haifa and Nazareth, both of which have large Arab populations.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 25, 2007
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