NIS 833m approved for Dead Sea development

2,700 new hotel rooms will be built in the region.

NIS 833 million has been allocated to develop the Dead Sea over the next five years. This was decided at today's weekly Cabinet session, following a proposal by Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov and Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan, in cooperation with the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Tourism will invest NIS 700 million, the Ministry of Environmental Protection will invest NIS 121 million, and the Geological Institute will invest an additional NIS 12 million. Misezhnikov wants to transform the Dead Sea region into one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.

The plan includes developing the Hamei Zohar and Ein Bokek tourism centers, the area between the two locations, as well as rehabilitating areas and existing infrastructures that are damaged or are at risk. In addition, areas in the Dead Sea basin, especially the northern basin, will be rehabilitated, as well as nature reserves damaged due to low water levels.

The decision calls for the funds to rehabilitate the northern and southern Dead Sea basins to be allocated as follows: NIS 434 million will be given as grants for hotels and attractions, and together with the budget from the Ministry of Tourism, starting in 2012, 2700 new hotel rooms will be built in the region. NIS 265 million will be allocated to develop tourism infrastructure, and NIS 134 million will be invested in environmental rehabilitation, including environmental protection and damage treatment due to receding water levels on the northern basin, which have caused the formation of sinkholes along the beaches.

A steering committee headed by Ministry of Tourism director general Noaz Bar Nir, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance, will oversee and track the implementation of the plan, and will promote the measures necessary to rehabilitate and develop the Dead Sea area, along with removing bureaucratic barriers during implementation.

Misezhnikov said that the implementation of the government decision will reshape the Dead Sea area, and will serve as a tremendous impetus for economic development and employment, as well as environmental restoration. The Dead Sea is considered by people around the world as one of the wonders of the world.

Erdan said that for the first time after years in which the Dead Sea functioned solely as a source from which resources could be exploited, Israel finally understands that the natural resources are a public asset for generations to come, and is investing hundreds of millions of shekels to restore environmental damage caused by industrial factories in the area.

Dead Sea Hotels Association chairman Nehemia Ben-Porat said, "We believe that with the funds that will be channeled into the area over the next five years, business plans will be implemented, including the addition of new hotels, and the upgrading of current rooms. This investment will greatly contribute to increasing employment opportunities in hotels and tourism for Negev residents."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 12, 2012

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012

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