Israel’s Ministry of Tourism announced on Tuesday that it will allocate funding to 58 tourism projects along the country from Eilat to Mount Hermon in the amount of some 174 million shekels (~$56 million).

The ministry’s support is part of a larger state budget for this project amounting to 362 million shekels ($116 million) in total, the ministry noted.

The main projects approved for establishment and upgrade include heritage centers, promenades, laser shows at unique sites, parks, accessibility improvements and bicycle paths.

Along these landmark locations are Park HaTachana (the old Jaffa railway station) in Tel Aviv; the Port of Lights, an audiovisual light show initiative at the Port of Haifa; a sinkhole observation point at the Dead Sea; development and upgrade of the Kishle former prison and military base site and Herod’s Palace in Jerusalem; the Monument Illumination Project in Jerusalem; a visitors’ center at the Regba Aqueduct in the Mateh Asher Regional Council in the Western Galilee; a bicycle trail in the Mount Hermon foothills; a Bedouin Heritage Garden in Rahat; illuminated walking paths in the Valley of Springs in the Beit She’an area; the Living Bible Village in Karnei Shomron in Samaria; and a birdwatching park and cycling promenades in Kibbutz Neot Smadar in the Arava Desert.

About 58 million shekels ($18.5 million) of the budget will go toward upgrading infrastructure in northern Israel, the ministry said.

Tourism Minister Haim Katz said in a statement: “The projects we have approved will enrich the tourism experience across the country and create new points of interest for visitors. Improving the experience of both international tourists and Israeli visitors is an investment that strengthens the economy and solidifies Israel’s position as a leading destination.”

The ministry director general, Michael Izhakov, said: “Tourism is a central growth engine and a source of national pride. Investment in infrastructure strengthens the visitor experience and encourages tourists from around the world to come. As it is said, ‘Beautiful landscape, the joy of the whole earth. [Psalm 48:2]’ We must develop the country and open its gates to all who seek to visit.”

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