‘The best way to support Israel is to visit Israel,’ Tourism Minister Katz says at Christian media conference

Israel’s Minister of Tourism Haim Katz thanked the Evangelical community for its unequivocal support and invited Christians to visit Israel during his speech at the opening of the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) Christian Media Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday.

With his visit to the U.S., Katz and representatives from his ministry aim to strengthen collaboration with tour operators and opinion leaders in the Christian world.

The ultimate goal is the return Christian tourism to the Holy Land after it almost completely collapsed in the wake of security concerns following the Oct. 7 massacre and the war.

“The massacre that was perpetrated on us on October 7 brought us back to dark days, days in which we rediscovered the resilience of the people living in Zion,” Katz said in his keynote speech to an audience of 4,000 Christian communicators.

“The support and messages of solidarity from the Christian community were a great light for us in the darkness. Be our ambassadors in words and deeds. The best way to support Israel is to visit Israel,” Katz declared.

“The safety of tourists is our top priority. Israel takes great care regarding the safety of tourists and citizens alike. Most of the tourist areas were not affected by the war and are completely safe. Come again this year, to strengthen yourselves and to strengthen us.”

The NRB Convention is the world’s largest conference for Christian media, including representatives of television stations, radio and worldwide print media, along with senior clergy from across the nations.

Katz and his team are scheduled to meet with marketing and media companies specializing in the Christian market, including TBN, the largest Evangelical television network in the USA, and the Salem Group - one of the most prominent in the field.

The Tourism minister will also hold meetings in New York with InterNova Travel Group, one of the largest in the USA, and with the director of the United States Tour Operators (USTOA).

“The year 2024 will be characterized by faith-based and solidarity tourism,” Katz said before boarding his plane to the United States this week.

“The NRB convention is a key event to garner support and promote travel to Israel. The American market is the largest source market for Israel, with the highest figures for incoming tourism, and very significant for the Israeli economy. Demand from the US is at a peak. We must maintain the momentum, and especially in light of the war, encourage as much as possible tourism to Israel,” Katz said.