New York, NY - May 9, 2007

TOUR OPERATORS FORM NEW TRADE ORGANIZATION TO PROMOTE ISRAEL TOURISM  

NEW YORK: Leading U.S. tour operators have come together to form TOPI (Tour Operators Promoting Israel), a new trade organization devoted to developing tourism to Israel. “Our goal,” says TOPI chairman, A. Ady Gelber, CEO and President of ISRAMWORLD, “is to encourage camaraderie among TOPI members for the purpose of holding a united front when promoting tourism to Israel - in the best possible way, during both good and bad times.”

“A half-million Americans visited Israel last year,” says Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commissioner for North and South America, “and the Israel Ministry of Tourism salutes the founders of TOPI for their initiative.

The organization’s goals in promoting and further developing the Israel tourism industry include protecting the interests of tour operators specializing in travel to Israel and the Israeli tourism industry; representing members of the association in negotiations with government and non-government entities, dealing with issues of aviation, transportation, the local hotel industry and other suppliers; ensuring a high level of professional standards is provided to travel agents and consumers alike.

Ten tour operators are currently members of TOPI. In addition to Gelber, TOPI’s Executive Board features Michael Goren (President of Group IST) as Vice-Chairman, Guy Millo (President of ARZA World) as Secretary, and David Dinour (President of Avia Tours) as Treasurer and Head of the Membership Committee.