Israel, February 26, 2026 – The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has awarded the “Tourism Minister’s Award for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism Initiatives” for the first time. Two initiatives were honored: Kibbutz Lotan in the southern Arava and Rom Farm on Mount Kammon in Galilee. The official ceremony took place at the Knesset.

The competition, initiated by Bat Sheva Strauchler, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism, received 46 applications, five of which reached the final round. A selection committee chaired by Prof. Yitzhak Kreiss, Director General of the Sheba Medical Center, chose the two winners with the highest overall scores from the five finalists. The award is part of a policy pursued by Minister Haim Katz, which combines environmental protection, community contribution, and responsible economic growth.

“The Tourism Minister’s Award aims to recognize the people behind Israeli tourism – the entrepreneurs and professionals who create significant economic and foreign policy value for the State of Israel. I congratulate the honored initiatives, which have demonstrated outstanding implementation of a vision that combines high-quality tourism with the protection of natural resources,” said Haim Katz, Minister of Tourism.

Kibbutz Lotan: Eco-Tourism in the Desert
Kibbutz Lotan in the southern Arava presents a unique tourism model based on traditional mud building techniques. Its offerings include a creative ecological visitor center, guest rooms built with mud, an ecological kitchen, as well as vegetable gardens and organic farming. The tranquil desert atmosphere attracts travelers seeking genuine encounters with nature and community.

Rom Farm on Mount Kammon: Human, Nature, and Community
Rom Farm on Mount Kammon in Galilee combines a “Human–Nature–Community” concept with the farm-to-table principle and lightweight accommodations. Furthermore, the farm operates a resilience and rehabilitation program for people who have experienced traumatic events as a result of the conflict. Solar energy, water recycling, and building materials made from recycled raw materials complete the sustainable concept.

“The initiatives honored today prove that high-quality tourism can go hand in hand with values such as sustainability, community, and ecological responsibility – while also contributing to economic growth and employment. The Ministry of Tourism will continue to support sustainable tourism and the initiatives that drive it,” emphasized Michael Itzhakov, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism.

Both initiatives will be presented to an international professional audience at the ITB Berlin 2026 at the Israel Ministry of Tourism pavilion – thus being introduced to a broad global public for the first time.

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About the Israel Government Tourist Office in Germany:

Whether it's tours, city trips, bathing, wellness, active and cultural travel, car rentals, or family vacations: the Israel Government Tourist Office provides information about the various regions, cities, and sights in the Holy Land. Israel is located in the Eastern Mediterranean and is no more than a four-hour flight from most parts of Europe. The country offers a sunny climate, a wide variety of historical, archaeological, and religious sites, and a captivating contrast between ancient and modern. In Israel, visitors are welcomed with traditional hospitality that dates back to biblical times. goisrael.com

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