As part of encouraging mutual tourism: for the first time – direct flights from Israel to Trnava district in Slovakia

The first historic direct flight from Israel to the city of Pištiny, which is located in the Trnava District in western Slovakia, was received in the best of traditions with the pouring of water and an exciting celebratory ceremony at the small airport.

"We are expecting tourists from Israel," explained Katrina, who was among the dozens of welcomers to the sounds of a local orchestra. The name of Pishtini and the district went far as an international spa town, specializing in spa tourism.

The beginning of the era of direct flights, in the first phase once a week, is intended to create a lever for the development of additional and two-way tourism branches between Slovakia and Israel.

Slovakia (Photo: Moshe Cohen)

The district is considered one of the most wooded in Europe, with the forested areas in its area covering about 40% of all open areas, which are integrated into the abundantly flowing streams. Along with this, among picturesque towns and architectural buildings, military history enthusiasts are also given the opportunity to visit the military museum where planes and tanks from the Soviet Union and the Cold War era are stationed.

"Until today, most Israelis have come to Pishtini mainly for the spa. The goal is to make Slovakia accessible to new people as well," says Vared Shortz, joint CEO of the OVERSEAS tourism company, and elaborates: "Trenba district is rich in attractions and suitable for all types of organized trips."

Finney Kreiner, joint CEO of the company OVERSEAS, says that the relationship with senior officials in the Tarnava district was established about a year ago: "I met with the governor of the district and other senior officials at the tourism bureau, and they see a high potential in two-way tourism."

Slovakia (Photo: Moshe Cohen)

In preparation for the summer season, a variety of options are offered to visit a place that many Israelis have not yet discovered, among others, medical tourism (spa), organized trips, family vacation packages that include water parks, rafting, and even other unique attractions, including a zoo that serves as a shelter for animals that were in circuses and private zoos, as well as "fly and travel" packages that allow you to combine car trips, attractions and vacations.

The writer was a guest of OVERSEAS Tourism and the Slovak Tourist Board