ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM LAUNCHES NEW "INVITE A FRIEND" TOURISM CAMPAIGN 

The Israel Ministry of Tourism recently launched its new "Invite a Friend" tourism campaign. Led by Israeli actress Noa Tishby, the new campaign urges Israelis to use video clips and digital postcards to invite friends and colleagues to travel to Israel for a chance to win one of 200 free vacations in Israel. 

ISRAELI OPERA TO HOST PERFORMANCES OF RENOWNED RUSSIAN OPERA "YEVGENY ONEGIN" IN 2013

For the first-time ever, the Israeli Opera will host several performances of Pushkin's renowned Russian opera, "Yevgeny Onegin," at the HaBima National Theater in Tel Aviv, June 24 - July 6, 2013. The performance will feature the orchestra, choir and soloists from the Bolshoi Opera (Moscow), and include English and Hebrew subtitles.

NEW 5-STAR AND BOUTIQUE HOTELS OPEN IN ISRAEL

A new wave of boutique hotels have opened in Israel this year, including The Rothschild, Townhouse TLV and Berdichevsky Hotel in the heart of Tel Aviv, as well as the Eden House Premier in the city's picturesque Kerem HaTemaneim neighborhood. Also, several five-star properties will open in Israel in 2013, including the Ritz Carlton Herzliya, Waldorf=Astoria Jerusalem and Royal Beach Tel Aviv.

PECHA KUCHA CREATIVE CONFERENCE ARRIVES 

IN TEL AVIV, DECEMBER 2

Pecha Kucha, the world's largest non-profit art movement which takes place in 570 cities around the globe, will arrive in Tel Aviv and showcase works and presentations by artists in a wide array of disciplines at the city's Hangar 11 venue, December 2. Pecha Kucha will showcase short-length presentations with the goal of allowing artists to describe their creative processes and works in six and a half minute intervals.

LONELY PLANET LISTS ISRAEL'S NEGEV DESERT AMONG TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS OF 2013

Israel's Negev Desert has been named as one of the "Top Travel Destinations of 2013" in a recent list released by Lonely Planet. The list describes the Negev Desert as "a giant greenhouse of development" with "eco-villages, spa resorts and even wineries." 

TEL AVIV WINS INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES

Tel Aviv has been the recipient of two recent accolades, including being nominated as one of the world's most innovative cities in a recent 'City of the Year' contest sponsored by WSJ, the Wall Street Journal magazine; and being ranked as one of the 2012 "World's 10 Best Cities for Architecture Lovers" by leading travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler. In addition, Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport was presented with the "Roll of Excellence" award this month by the Airports Council International (ACI).

NEW PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, "LOCAL TESTIMONY," TO OPEN AT ERETZ ISRAEL MUSEUM, DECEMBER 6 

A new photography exhibition showcasing the works of Israeli and international artists, entitled "Local Testimony," will open at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, December 6. The exhibition will boast photographs taken this year and based upon the themes of politics, society, culture, art, nature and sports.

ISRAELI AND INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON PILOTS LAUNCH "FLIGHT AROUND THE WORLD" IN ISRAEL

A group of Israeli and international hot air balloon pilots began a journey around the world last month beginning in Mount Gilboa, Israel. The group of 15 pilots will fly over Australia, US, Europe, Asia and Africa during the year-long trip.

OCTOBER 2012 SETS NEW ALL-TIME HIGH FOR TOURISM TO ISRAEL

A total of 391,000 travelers arrived in Israel in October 2012, a 13% increase compared to October 2012 and a new all-time high in tourism to Israel. Also, more than 3,000,000 travelers arrived in Israel between January and October 2012, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC STARS TO PERFORM IN ISRAEL 

Israel will host performances by international music stars this year and in 2013, including a concert by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette at Tel Aviv's Nokia Arena, December 3, 2012; and a performance by British new-wave trio Depeche Mode at Tel Aviv's Hayarkon Park, May 7, 2013. 

NEW BOEING 787 DREAMLINER LANDS IN TEL AVIV'S BEN GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A new Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, landed in Israel at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport this month, marking the first time an airplane of this kind has arrived in Israel. 

JERUSALEM TO HOST INTERNATIONAL SPACE CONFERENCE IN 2015

Jerusalem has been selected to host the prestigious International Space Conference, the world's largest gathering on space, in October 2015. The conference will feature 30 symposiums and include 70 lectures on space study, as well as a massive space exhibition.

ISRAELI DANCE TROUPES TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE DANCE FESTIVAL, DECEMBER 5-9

Israeli dance troupes will take part in the International Exposure 2012 festival, taking place in various venues in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem,December 5-9. Designed to integrate international dancers, journalists, and directors with the Israeli dance community, the festival will boast jazz and contemporary dance performances by local troupes, including Maria Kong Dance Company, the Batsheva Dance Company and Fresco Dance Company.