“Effective today, tourists to Israel will receive a 20 percent cash premium over and above the official rate of exchange of 1.80 Israeli pounds to the dollar,” it was announced today by Yohanan Beham, director of the Israel Government Tourist Office. “As a result, tourists will now receive 2.16 Israeli pounds for each dollar exchanged, up to a maximum of $1, 500 per month.”
The 20 percent bonus was introduced to encourage tourist traffic to Israel, and its effect is expected to be felt as early as this Spring, the Israeli official said. “The new premium obviates and replaces the 20 percent discount which tourists received at hotels, sightseeing agencies and government-approved stores, ” he stated.
Another tourist facility introduced by Israel was announced here today. Upon their departure, tourists will be able to reconvert Israel pounds up to the equivalent of $100, instead of the $40 limit permitted hitherto.
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