Israeli travel agency signs deal to sell packages to UAE's Rixos hotels

Until now, Israeli tourists have largely not been allowed to enter the Gulf country, although some business executives with dual nationalities have entered using non-Israeli passports.

By REUTERS
A tourist takes a photograph in front of the skyline of Abu Dhabi December 15, 2009. Abu Dhabi threw its flashy but debt-laden neighbour Dubai a $10 billion lifeline to head off a bond default, cheering Gulf and global markets on Monday but raising questions about the undisclosed terms (photo credit: SHARON PERRY/REUTERS)
A tourist takes a photograph in front of the skyline of Abu Dhabi December 15, 2009. Abu Dhabi threw its flashy but debt-laden neighbour Dubai a $10 billion lifeline to head off a bond default, cheering Gulf and global markets on Monday but raising questions about the undisclosed terms
(photo credit: SHARON PERRY/REUTERS)
Israel's Aviation Links said on Tuesday it would start selling vacation packages to Rixos hotels in the United Arab Emirates, the latest deal in the wake of the countries agreeing to normalize relations.

The agreement is the first in the tourism industry after Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday they would normalize diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship.

Until now, Israeli tourists have largely not been allowed to enter the Gulf country, although some business executives with dual nationalities have entered using non-Israeli passports.

Aviation, which operates as the Kishrey Teufa travel agency in Israel, said the packages to four Rixos hotels will be available for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot in mid-October and using flights on Turkish Airlines.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was also preparing for direct flights over Saudi Arabia.

Nir Mazor, vice president of Aviation, said the packages would initially be available to Israelis with entry permits to the Emirates and later to all citizens once the deal is completed.