The Trends of Chinese Tourists in Israel 2017

This year, the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Rooster, considered a symbol of honesty, as well as physical and moral strength. One of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, the Rooster, according to legend, signifies luck, fidelity, protection and bossiness.

It is no coincidence that 2017 expects to see more and more Chinese visitors to Israel, where you might find these characteristics in abundance.

Once a mysterious land far away for the Chinese, Israel has become the land of opportunity – for investment and tourism. There has been a continued influx every year.

In 2007, 10,000 Chinese tourists visited Israel, doubling to more than 20,000 in 2013, and is expected to reach 100,000 by the end of 2017, a ten-fold increase on a decade ago when the first official Chinese business delegation came to Tel Aviv. In the past five years, senior political figures from China have also visited Israel.

Fascinated by Israel’s innovation and entrepreneurship

It was indeed, Chinese business executives who arrived first, fascinated by the wisdom, innovation and entrepreneurship that encompass Israel’s remarkable story and growth. In 2015, the bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $11 billion compared to a mere $50 million when diplomatic relations officially began 25 years ago, in 1992.

Now, there is a substantial rise in the number of leisure tourists too.

The airlines have certainly sat up and taken notice. Until 2016, only El Al, Israel’s national airline, operated direct flights between China and Israel. In April 2016, Hainan Airlines, China’s fourth largest airline, began operating weekly flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv while Cathay Pacific will launch its first direct Hong Kong to Tel Aviv route in March 2017.

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This increased capacity is expected to further strengthen links in trade, science, high-tech, agriculture, and particularly tourism.

Israel’s Tourism Ministry has responded with a number of initiatives, including opening a first-ever course for tour guides that targets Chinese speakers in 2013. By the end of 2016, Israel is believed to have approximately 70 such certified Chinese-speaking tour guides.

“Israel has plenty to offer. This is reflected by the substantial year on year rise in visitors”

“Whether they are a business delegation with free time or pure leisure travelers, Israel has plenty to offer. This is reflected by the substantial year on year rise in visitors,” one of Israel’s Mandarin-speaking tour guides told us. For some of China’s Christian tourists, it’s the Old City that is the main draw to the Holy Land.

For others, it’s an opportunity to get a first-hand view of places they only hear about. Coming from the more affluent provinces of China, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, many have already traveled around Asia, Australia and the UK and are becoming more adventurous and curious in their travels.

Dan Boutique hotel in Jerusalem

Wrapped in mystery and endless secrets, the Old City is without doubt one of the most visited spots in Jerusalem, which balances an incomparable 4,000 year history with a modern and vibrant culture, including gourmet restaurants and an exciting nightlife.

The Old City invites you to explore the world famous holy sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the Jewish Quarter, you can visit the Western Wall, considered one of the holiest places in the Jewish religion. In the Christian and Armenian Quarters are important landmarks and churches such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that are holy to Christians of all denominations.

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The Muslim Quarter houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock that are sacred to the Muslim faith. Whether you are interested in religion, archeology, architecture or history, strolling through the Old City’s narrow streets, alleys and markets will leave an impression like no other.

The Dead Sea is always a favorite on any bucket list

For Chinese visitors, the Dead Sea is always a favorite on any bucket list. Just an hour away from Jerusalem, the Dead Sea is the lowest dry point on earth, offering mineral-rich waters that allows you to float miraculously and reap the benefits of this famous health destination, known for its range of skincare benefits, treatments and products, such as Ahava cosmetics.

“We have had tour groups here, who may only have a few hours of free time, and they love going to the Dead Sea. They take photographs of themselves covered in mud and then often head straight to the airport!” said another tour guide.

The Dead Sea

Cosmetics, Judaica, jewelry and diamonds are among the many treasures available across Israel, and nowhere is the shopping experience arguably more complete than Tel Aviv. Israel’s thriving coastal city boasts numerous retail jewels – notably Dizengoff Center, the largest shopping mall in Tel Aviv and the iconic Azrieli Center, a modern and glitzy shopping mall filled with designer brands and an international food court.

More recently, the opening of the stylish indoor market at Sarona attracts large numbers of visitors keen to sit down and sample a range of high quality cuisine from around the world.

The Chinese love of food is well known, and is even included in the morning greeting –“早餐吃了没有？”– and that pure love of food, particularly Chinese food, is shared by Israelis and Jewish people alike. It is highlighted best in an old joke:

A Jewish man and a Chinese man were talking. The Jewish man said how wise the Chinese are.

“Yes,” replied the Chinese man, “Our culture is over 4,000 years old. But, the Jews are a very wise people, too.”

The Jewish man replied, “Yes, our culture is over 5,000 years old.”
The Chinese man asked: “That’s impossible, he replied. Where did your people eat for a thousand years?”

authentic banquet to 50 guests on January 27

For restaurants and hotels in Israel, the challenge remains to adapt their menus to suit the tastes of these special guests, and there are huge signs of progress. As the Chinese community enjoys two weeks of celebrations for the Year of the Rooster, Haifa’s Dan Carmel Hotel joined the festivities, serving up an authentic banquet to 50 guests on January 27 (picture above).

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Offering magnificent panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Dan Carmel’s mountain top location is also close to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, including the Baha’i Temple and its golden dome.

Whether visitors from China come to sample this and other sights in Israel, to satisfy a curiosity or to explore a different place, this friendship continues to blossom, as 2017 gets into full swing.

Happy New Year / 新春快乐！ 鸡年大吉！