Newly appointed Minister of Tourism Ruhama Avraham Balila has big plans for boosting the nation's tourism and is aiming to bring a record 5 million tourists to Israel by 2012.

In an interview with Y-net, Avraham Balila said she hopes to cement ties with her Jordanian and Palestinian counterparts both of whom are women. "The Palestinian minister has already confirmed her cooperation. The Jordanian minister has remained aloof, perhaps because of the Ramadan. I really hope it works out, because it's a wonderful opportunity – it's time to take advantage of our feminine power,"
she said.

Meanwhile Avraham Balila noted that one of the main problems plaguing Israel's tourist industry is the lack of hotel accommodation mainly due to local bureaucracy. She intends to focus the campaign on Russia and China, both of which she says have huge potential. She also intends to cancel the need for visas from various countries,the first on her list she said is Ukraine.

"We need to overcome our historical problems, set aside political differences that may remain unsolved for quite a while and promote the region as a tourist destination," she said.10/02/08