Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion called on the Israel tourist industry today to treat tourists fairly and not to “skin them” during their stay in the country. Addressing the opening session of the congress on tourism here attended by tourist officials, travel agents and hotel operators, the Premier declared that “more important than the great economic value of tourism is the fact that it brings people to see the land of Israel.”
Jews visiting Israel, Mr. Ben-Gurion said, “return home more proud and with the Jewish content of their lives enriched. But,” he added, “they must return with their skins whole–don’t skin them during their trip.” He emphasized that tourism also encouraged aliya. “Non-Jewish tourists who depart from Israel, praise the country. not from politeness but from the heart. This is one of the best ways to break the walls of Arab hatred surrounding Israel,” the Prime Minister declared.
Teddy Kollek, director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, told the Congress that Israel’s tourist industry needed 250 to 300 million Israeli pounds in investment during the next three years, to expand air and sea transport, hotel and other facilities. He pointed out that the country could earn at least the equivalent sum annually from tourism.
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