Minister of Tourism and Eilat

What Minister Miszhnikov calls the development of the desolate area, is correctly called in Hebrew the destruction of the nature reserve and the northernmost coral reef in the world

Not long ago, I participated in a seminar designed to give Eilat tourists ideas and tools for developing sustainable attractions and activities, or in other words, developing and establishing environmental activities along with converting hotels to "ecological" ones. The tourists/hotels are stressed because of the competition across the border, and one of the advantages that can be presented (and sold) is the environmental aspect, that is, tourist activity that does not harm the environment. Such activity has been going on at various levels for some time. Some hotels have started sorting garbage and diverting what can be recycled. Guests are asked to avoid wasting resources - electricity, water, etc. A small part that is not significant and there is an urgent need to strengthen and increase it and not only because of the competition is a sustainable/environmental tourism activity that also takes place. Hiking and riding in the desert, working at the birding center, diving and taking care of the coral reef. But again the activity is minimal and can be developed and increased.

I would not have mentioned all this if I had not seen an advertisement in one of the newspapers. As we know, we have a new minister of tourism (every year and a half there is a new minister), for some reason every new minister sees fit to justify the saying about a "new broom", every minister puts up new interviews that sometimes border on "genius" for its name.

According to one of the online newspapers, the new Minister of Tourism spent part of the Passover vacation in Eilat and came to the conclusion that "there is nothing to do in Eilat", this is the same minister who said that he spent time in the north at a "Zimmer" and intends to help farmers convert their profession and establish "Zimmers". So, Mr. Minister C-Y-M-R is a room in German, if you tried to book a B&B in Germany you would be mocked, the common use of the term haneluz in Israel... mocked and insulting. So why don't you learn, learn and know how to use a Hebrew term such as guest room, but you're not the only one who is mistaken in the folly of the c-y-m-r-y-m so let's leave it at that.

What surprised me were the wise sayings the Minister had to say about Eilat. According to the newspaper: "Except for the boardwalk and a few other attractions, Eilat does not have much to offer tourists, nor Israelis. Because of this the minister is not confused and according to the newspaper he is already developing a development plan in which the area in the south of Eilat will be developed in the coral beach area. His intention is to build hotels and guest rooms there and develop the entire stretch of beach - "which today has almost nothing except the Princess Hotel". In addition, he intends to submit plans for the establishment of tourist attractions in Eilat. So far according to the publication in the newspaper and there is more, but this is certainly enough to inspire anyone who knows Eilat for more than two days and anyone who is interested in the environment, nature, the desert, the sea, the corals... dear to him

So, "there's nothing to do in Eilat"? Mr. Minister, were you at the dolphin beach? Have you visited the underwater observatory? Are you entering the Imax? Did you go on a trip to the desert? On camels train? Have you been to the birding center? It is assumed that the answer to all questions is negative, since what you saw can be done in Eilat (and this is a quote) "the boardwalk and a few other attractions". Come on, if the boardwalk is entertainment for you, then it's better that... (readers will fill in)

What is scary is the continuation, since the minister found that Eilat is boring, it needs development. What development? One that will be in the south. Mr. Minister, for your information, the northern coral reef, as well as the most unique in the world, still exists on the southern coast of Eilat. Many good people did and are doing to save, preserve and restore the reef. In order to preserve it, a special reserve was established, a fence was erected and a low lighting environment that would not disturb, with coated water that prevents boats from approaching, all this so as not to damage the beach and its surroundings.

Without getting confused, you come and offer to destroy all this with the wave of a hand? Maybe the quote is not accurate, maybe you were misunderstood? If this is indeed the intention of your development, and if the quote is accurate, you should internalize the following sentence: the time has come that instead of controlling the environment for the sake of the human population, there should be control of the human population for the sake of the environment.

If the minister does not understand the folly of his intentions, it is to be hoped that the southern coast of Eilat will be saved simply because every year and a half the minister changes.

Asaf