Welcome to Israel

March 26, 2010 - 10:40 AM by

Waiting to cross the border into Israel from Egypt at the Taba crossing earlier this week, I was struck by the opportunity we’re missing to put our best face forward.

Standing in line with us as we trudged back from four days at a Sinai resort on the Red Sea (more about that in another post), was, among others, a group of Korean tourists, and a group of visitors from Estonia.

It took about a half hour to pass through the customs line and the passport control, where the Israeli clerks were perfunctory and borderline surly.

“We’ve spent five days in Egypt and now we’re going to Akaba, Jordan, then tomorrow we cross back into Israel for a week,” said the Korean group leader. “This is the first line we’ve seen,” he joked.

As soon as you get out of the terminal and onto the Eilat side of the border, all there is are a few sloppy looking taxi drivers saying, “You need ride to Eilat?” and an Egged bus stop.

Just imagine if there was a booth manned by an English speaking official of the Tourism or Foreign Ministry. “Welcome to Israel, if you have any questions, we’re here to help,” they could say, as they handed out flyers and information about tourist sites and the country.

Imagine the nice impression that would make on the tourist entering Israel for the first time, disoriented, tired and apprehensive. It would sure beat being accosted by a cigarette smoking cabbie.

Israelis tend to think that the country is so great, that it stands on its own – visitors are going to blown away by the sites, the sounds and the smells. That may be correct, but it would not hurt a bit to guide the visitors in the right direction to insure that the beginning of their tour here is as memorable as the rest of it.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Travel 

Comments

One Comment on Welcome to Israel

  1. Thomas on Sat, Mar 27th 2010 10:41 AM

    2. I concur with your notion that Israelis tend to think of their own country as so great, that there is no need whatsoever to make the international tourist’s stay in Israel a pleasant and welcoming one. Israel has a lot to learn from the tourism sector and general hospitality of other Mediterranean countries.

    On another note I am glad that some Israelis are still venturing into Egypt. I have been wanting to travel to Egypt or Jordan for a long time now, but my girlfriend’s family – indeed almost Israelis in general – shudder at thought of venturing across the border to the Arab world, “It’s far too dangerous” , they say. It’s a shame really. Instead they would rather have we fork out 1000s of shekels to go on a more “civilised” and “safer” European city break for Passover.

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