The Tourism Ministry and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority have collaborated to fund guided tours for the general public.
NIS 25 million will be allocated to fund tours with qualified tour guides, and the first stage will have a budget of NIS 10m., they said in a press release.
“The initiative offers the opportunity for public exposure to sites less traveled, in the company of a professional tour guide who will enrich the experience with information and content,” INPA CEO Raya Shurki said.
Tours will take place on weekends and weekdays, and they will be available in tourist sites, parks and cities. All tours will abide by COVID-19 guidelines under the Health Ministry.
“This is the first step toward the tour guides’ return to employment – something that has not happened for nearly two years,” said Ganit Peleg, chairwoman of the Israel Tour Guides Association.
“I would like to call on other bodies and government ministries to come and open a direct channel of employment for as many tour guides as possible to integrate them into guiding,” she continued.
The Tourism Ministry launched a website last month to keep tourists updated with the latest COVID-19 guidelines.