Wadi Kelt
The idea of ecotourism in Israel is almost a contradiction in terms. But against all odds, despite the dense population today and lack of population for the last 2000 years, despite the many wars and armies that crushed the Land of Milk and Honey, despite the lack of rain, despite the impact of the neighboring countries – Israel has placed protecting the ecosystem and nature as a paramount value. Ecotourism is a result of the government’s investment in protecting nature and the ecosystem, and, thanks to advanced education, Israelis’ high awareness of the issue.
Ecotourism in Israel is mainly thanks to sharp lines drawn by the State declaring 30% of the land of Israel, 22,000 km² or 8,000 square miles, as nature reserves. This puts Israel as a leading country in this respect. Ecotourism is traveling responsibly to nature reserves, leaving no imprint, and supporting local efforts of conservation by doing so.
Ecotourism was my main goal for ten years traveling around the world. I toured in Africa, in the great nature reserves of Kenya and South Africa, and the remote reserves of Zaire, Congo, Cameroun, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin. In the Americas, I visited Galapagos, Ecuador, Brazil, and the US. I also visited Norway and North Europe, and Thailand and the Philippines in the Far East.
Timna Arch in Southern Israel
Ecotourism was part of me from childhood; before I could speak English and say ecotourism, I loved nature. In my home town of Bat Yam, outside my door and across the street I could see more than a hundred species of birds, and a like number of marine life in the Mediterranean, two blocks away.
I welcome the ecotourist. For me, ecotourism is not only a working tool, it is my entire life philosophy. It allows me to enjoy nature and Israel’s great variety of fauna and flora species.
In Israel, ecotourism cannot stand by itself, and we cannot forget its main attraction in Israel, its history, its archeology, and its religions.
Welcome, ecotourists, to Israel!
