'With every 100,000 tourists who come to Israel, 4,000 new jobs are created.'
By SHELLY PAZ
Following the bilateral agreement signed recently between Israel and Russia abolishing the need for tourist visas for both Israeli and Russian tourists, Israel is considering a similar agreement with Ukraine.
"With every 100,000 tourists who come to Israel, 4,000 new jobs are created, mainly in the periphery," Tourism Ministry director-general Shaul Tzemach said Sunday. "Our duty is to work toward the cancellation of the tourist visa."
Earlier this month, representatives of Israel and Ukraine discussed the initiative as part of the ministry's efforts to cancel visa requirements for as many countries as possible whose residents visit Israel in high numbers.
In 2007, 75,000 Ukrainians visited Israel - an increase of 146 percent compared to 2006 (30,000). In January and February 2008 alone, some 22,000 Ukrainian tourists entered the country, up 300% from the same months last year (5,600).
Due to the difficulty of obtaining a tourist visa, many of these tourists do not stay in Israel overnight, and travel on a 24-hour-visa, which is easier to obtain.
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