The ancient port of Jaffa. (Shutterstock) (Shutterstock)
Jaffa port

A prestigious travel magazine has included Tel Aviv as one of the 50 best destinations for 2018.

The prestigious Travel and Leisure Magazine has included Tel Aviv as one of the 50 best places in the world to travel in 2018.

“From a remote, idyllic island to the world’s design capital, these destinations have never been better,” the magazine declares.

The article notes that Tel Aviv has attracted a lot of attention for its nightlife and creative culinary scene in recent years.

In November 2015, Conde Nast Traveler spotlighted the Israeli city’s food scene when it published an article titled, “Why the World’s Best Vegetarian Food Is in Tel Aviv,” which called the city an “herbivore smorgasbord” and cited the mix of gastronomic influences from around the world that “can coax a world of flavors out of the most humble potato.”

The site of the ancient port town of Jaffa, technically a part of Tel Aviv, has become the focal point of tourism, with several new and intriguing new ventures elevating the allure of the area.

“Jaffa’s once-shabby flea market is now populated by a number of high-end antique dealerships, which sit alongside trendy cafés and bars — many offering live music into the night,” the article says.

Tourism in Israel has skyrocketed in 2017. The country in November welcomed the three-millionth tourist to visit the Holy Land this year in a special ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport, setting a new annual record with nearly two months to go in the calendar year.

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, tourists from nations across the globe are arriving in greater numbers. For instance, there was a 76 percent increase in tourism from China during the first half of 2017, in comparison to that period in 2016. There were also dramatic increases in tourism from Russia and the US, the latter of which represents the largest source of incoming tourism for Israel.

With numbers such as these, the future looks bright for Israeli tourism.

“I am convinced that, with the correct activities, we will continue to see good results in the coming months,” stated Tourism Minister Yariv Levin in July.

By: United with Israel Staff