Portugal participates for the first time in the main tourism fair of Israel
Portugal participates, for the first time, in the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM), the main tourism fair in Israel, with the objective of promoting the country as a tourist destination and its Jewish heritage.
The International Mediterranean Tourism Market is taking place today and Wednesday in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the participation of 10 Portuguese companies and regions, according to Turismo de Portugal.
“The presence in this international fair is part of the 2027 Tourism Strategy, with a strong commitment to diversifying markets for Portugal, diversify products and expand tourism throughout the country,” Turismo de Portugal said in a statement.
According to the same source, Portugal has about 30 places “where witnesses” the Jewish heritage.
“The presence of Portugal for the first time in the international tourism fair of Israel materializes the bet we are making on the Jewish market. Portugal has a very rich history linked to Judaism – it was from the Iberian Peninsula that the Sephardic Jews left, and there are 29 countries throughout the country with Jewish heritage, most of them inland Portugal is a tolerant and open country to all religions. Since 2018 we have had direct air links with El Al and in the summer, TAP will open a new route to Israel, which creates a great opportunity for growth, “said Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, quoted in the statement.
Turismo de Portugal will sign an agreement with Innovate Israel, in the area of innovation and technology in tourism, to exchange startups.
The president of this entity, Luís Araújo, also believes that “the bet in Israel allows diversifying the issuing markets and widening tourist demand to areas of the country traditionally less visited,” adding that he believes participation in this fair “will certainly contribute to project the destination in this important market and to promote cooperation between the two countries, especially in what concerns the Training and Technological Innovation of the sector. “
