Silvan Shalom, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, and Yariv Levin, Israel’s Tourism Minister, announced April 2016 some further concessions to encourage bi-lateral tourism between Israel and China. Fast-track visa applications issued by the US and EU to any Chinese tourist are now available. Documentation will not be required when requesting a visa. Changes can now be submitted up to 24 hours before departure for group visas. The possibility of a new 10-year tourist visa will also be investigated. Other steps already taken to increase numbers of Chinese tourists to Israel include expansion of the Chinese Tourism Industry’s marketing budget, working with Hainan Airlines to commence operations in Israel from last week, Chinese cookery classes for Israeli chefs and hosting leading Chinese opinion-formers.
Silvan Shalom, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, and Yariv Levin, Israel’s Tourism Minister, announced last week some further concessions to encourage bi-lateral tourism between Israel and China. Fast-track visa applications issued by the US and EU to any Chinese tourist are now available. Documentation will not be required when requesting a visa. Changes can now be submitted up to 24 hours before departure for group visas. The possibility of a new 10-year tourist visa will also be investigated. Other steps already taken to increase numbers of Chinese tourists to Israel include expansion of the Chinese Tourism Industry’s marketing budget, working with Hainan Airlines to commence operations in Israel from April 2016, Chinese cookery classes for Israeli chefs and hosting leading Chinese opinion-formers.