This summer, the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) has launched a series of “iTravelJerusalem” services to make the city more accessible and convenient for tourists.
The fun starts with a new Jerusalem City Pass that can be purchased before arrival in Israel. Valid for a week, the pass entitles the holder to discounts on main attractions in the city and may be used to save time standing in lines.
Upon landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, travelers can have their Jerusalem City Pass validated by attendants in the iTravelJerusalem stand. The attendants will offer information and direct those tourists wishing to travel directly to Jerusalem a free ticket for a branded bus with Wi-Fi.
During their ride from the airport, the passengers will have access to the popular iTravelJerusalem website – available in six different languages — to see a full listing of events in the city that week.
Jerusalem City Pass holders also get free inner-city public transportation, including buses and light rail, for a whole week.
In addition to the City Pass, the JDA is stationing colorful trucks near the Jaffa Gate and the Machane Yehuda market, where visitors can stop for a cool drink and information on tourist attractions, art, cultural events, the culinary scene and historical sites. The trucks will have free Wi-Fi and recharging spots for mobile devices.
Ilanit Melchior, tourism director for the JDA, noted that Israel’s capital city is experiencing a tourism boom – a 47 percent increase in the number of overnights stays and a five-fold increase in conference tourism.
She said there are about 20,000 hotel rooms in Jerusalem, ranging from hostels and neighborhood boutique hotels to large luxury hotels.
“These new services will offer great help for tourists and will make ‘all the dots connect’ in Jerusalem. As part of this concept, we also plan on adding a free-of-charge Wi-Fi service across the city in the near future,” said Melchior.