Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov: I would like to thank all who have assisted and voted for the Dead Sea; this is a true victory for Israel’s image abroad
The New7Wonders of Nature Fund announced this evening, 11.11.2011, the names of the winning sites that have earned the title as the New Seven Wonders of Nature, of which the Dead Sea was not included.
Over the last two years, the Ministry of Tourism has led a comprehensive media campaign to promote the Dead Sea worldwide. The Prime Minister's Office joined these efforts two months ago leading a campaign in Israel together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, which carried an entire nation behind it.
Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov stated in an initial reaction that: “I would like to thank all who have assisted and voted for the Dead Sea. Though we did not win the title, thanks to the impressive campaign led by the Ministry of Tourism over the last two years, hundreds of millions of people worldwide have now been exposed to the Dead Sea and Israel, and placed their vote. This is a true victory for Israel’s image abroad, the fruits of which we will see in the next few years in the investment in the rehabilitation and development of the Dead Sea.”
The Minister added that: “Tourism is one of the most important means of development in Israel and the positive exposure received by the Dead Sea and Israel in general, is a true victory for us all, and which will dramatically increase tourism, promote economic growth and development in the region as well as new employment opportunities and revenue for the Israeli economy.”
The Dead Sea has come a long and respectable way to the finish line: the competition began with 440 sites worldwide, with 28 making it to the final round. Recently, the New7Wonders of Nature Fund announced that the Dead Sea was among the top ten finalists.
The New7Wonders of Nature are: The Amazons in South America, Halong Bay, Vietnam, Iguazu Falls, Brazil-Argentina, Jeju Island, Korea, Komodo, Indonesia, Table Mountain, South Africa, and Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines.
