The German National Tourist Office (GNTB) and the Israel Ministry of Tourism are teaming up to promote spiritual travel to Americans in an effort to increase tourism from the U.S. in both countries. The countries’ joint tourism project, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Germany and Israel establishing their diplomatic relationship, will see a number of initiatives rolled out in 2016, including the distribution of joint newsletters, joint attendance at the Evangelical Press Association’s annual convention, and the development of a cross-national tourism product, In the footsteps of Jesus and Martin Luther. The In the footsteps of Jesus and Martin Luther travel product recommends sites for guests to visit during their own spiritual tours of the countries. The 5-day Israeli tour suggests ways for guests to follow Jesus’ path of life through the Holy Land with visits to sacred cities and sites, such as Galilee, Jerusalem, Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, and the Sea of Galilee.
The five-day Reformation tour through Germany recommends guests start at the capital city of Berlin and work their way around Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt and Eisenach—cities where Martin Luther lived and work—before finishing in Frankfurt, which also boasts its own historical sites including St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Frankfurt Jewish Museum. 2017 will also be big for Germany, as the country celebrates 500 years of the reformation. For more information, visit germany.travel.
