NEW YORK — Following last week’s official announcement of its new Director of Tourism-Canada, the Israel Ministry of Tourism has appointed Eyal Carlin as its new Tourism Commissioner for North America.

In this new position Carlin will oversee all business partnerships and developments, marketing strategy and public relations efforts across Canada and the United States to promote Israel as a top destination for business, leisure, faith-based and MICE travellers.

Based in New York, Carlin has been with the Israel Ministry of Tourism for over nine years serving a variety of positions. From 2013-2017 he oversaw the Ministry’s Israel Government Tourist Office in Atlanta where he was responsible for promoting tourism to Israel in the United State’s southern region. Prior to coming to New York, he was the Director of the Americas Department and Acting Director of the Overseas Department in Jerusalem’s head office.

On the value Carlin will bring to the role, Amir Halevi, Director General for the Israel Ministry of Tourism, said: “Eyal has been an incredible asset to our team for almost a decade. He is very familiar with the Israel brand and what we’re trying to accomplish, and I am confident he will continue to allow our tourism numbers from these countries to increase for years to come.”

Carlin added: “I’m excited to be in New York working with the incredible team to promote Israel and all this beautiful country has to offer for travellers here in the United States and Canada. Israel has such a diverse landscape that lends itself to travellers of all types, whether they are looking to visit the holy sites, an adventure in the South, a wine trip in the North, and so much more. I look forward to sharing my passion and continuing my work in inspiring people to choose Israel for their next vacation.”

Visitors from Canada have grown by 21% over the past two years, while those from the U.S. have increased by 26%. Israel hopes to surpass these numbers in 2020.