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The main purpose of meeting between the Minister of Economy of Lithuania and Minister of Tourism of Israel was opening of direct flights between Vilnius and Tel Aviv. Israel‘s Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov considered Lithuania as potential tourism service centre and the main link for Israel’s connecting flights even to the US.

“We considered possibilities of how to maintain commercial interests so that the flights Vilnius- Tel Aviv could bring financial benefits to the parties of this initiative as a result of full-boarded aircrafts and perfectly satisfied tourists,” after the meeting, Minister of Economy Rimantas Žylius said.

The Minister considers that strong interest and tourism potential lies between Lithuania and Israel. R. Žylius invited Israel’s representatives to cooperate and invest in the medical tourism which is still to be developed in Lithuania. “With its huge potential of excellent medical people, equipment and infrastructure Lithuania could gain knowledge fr om Israel on how to render world class services and attract foreign tourists to Lithuania to receive a wide range of medical treatment,” R. Žylius said.

Israel’s Minister of Tourism S. Misezhnikov suggested improving knowledge and increase of awareness about the Lithuanian and Israel tourism objects. He considers that initially establishment of relationship between tour operators of both countries is especially important to grasp the commercial interest in popularizing travel routes to Lithuania and Israel. He also suggested that promoting of the so called “city breaks” is important, especially aiming to attract young people who like visiting the capitals of Europe as weekend breaks. Wh ereas, elder residents of Israel are more interested in outdoor leisure possibilities in Lithuania. Therefore, the Minister considers that small businessmen of Israel could be more interested in the development of rural tourism potential.

Raimonda Balnienė, Director of the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy, who was also present at the meeting, introduced new Lithuania’s tourism marketing products designed for the Israel market. She said about 10 000 of Israel tourists visited Lithuania in 2010 and spent about EUR 5 million. Following the statistics, the Jews are among the most lavish tourists worldwide. Moreover, a recently conducted survey has revealed that more than half of respondents from Israel recognize Lithuania as a green country ideal for outdoor leisure activities, so tourism products of this type will be strongly promoted by Lithuania.

Israel is among Lithuania’s priority tourism markets. In 2010, an Agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism was signed between Lithuania and Israel serving the basis for cooperation among public authorities, tourism associations and business undertakings as well as promoting combined efforts of studies and vocational training bodies in the field of tourism, including the exchange of personnel and experts. Within the framework of the abovesaid Agreement a Working Group on Tourism has been established by the Governments of Lithuania and Israel. Besides, a function of a commercial attaché in Israel has been established this year to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

Information source: www.ukmin.lt