The southern resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea boasts beautiful beaches and hotels, and lots of sun, making it a popular tourism destination. It is also of strategic significance and has been the target of rocket fire and cross-border terror attacks in recent years.
Our tour starts at the Arava Institute, where Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian & American students study ecology and carry out pioneering work in renewable energy, water conservation and sustainable agriculture. We’ll also have an exclusive tour of the Arava Power Company’s solar field in Kibbutz Ketura – the first of its kind in the Middle East – and view the innovative and unique robots used to clean the solar panels.
Further south en route to Eilat, we will stop at the site of the recent oil spill at the Evrona Nature Reserve and hear from officials and activists involved in its cleanup. South of Eilat, we will visit the new advanced electronic border fence and hold a briefing on the military, smuggling and anti-terror aspects of border security with a senior officer.
The tour will also explore issues related to tourism and how the town is dealing with the influx of illegal migrants mostly from the Sudan, including a visit with the former honorary consul of the UK and one of the earliest residents of the city. But don’t worry – there is also time for some fun, including a sunset cruise and swimming with the dolphins, and an opportunity to sample a bit of Eilat nightlife….
Visit to Evrona Park site of the recent oil spill & briefings from the Environmental Defense Union (Adam, Teva V’Din) and the Nature & Parks Authority
Security briefing on the border with Egypt
Briefing and tour of the Arava Institute of environmental studies
Tour of the Ketura solar field with Arava Power Company executives
Breakfast with Eilat Hotel Association director
Visit to Dolphin Reef for swimming and diving*
Sunset sea cruise and dinner
Meetings with residents
and much more…!
