Selling Israel: A Land Rich in Holy Sites or Hot Babes in Tel Aviv?
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 04.03.07 | 8:35 AM ET
Photo by That’s the question vexing those debating how to market the nation to tourists. Interestingly, an Israeli consular official recently invited a camera crew from Maxim magazine to photograph a bikini-clad model in Tel Aviv, arguing that the best way to improve the country’s image among young men was with “good-looking women,” the official told Newsweek. Others insist that Biblical sites set Israel apart and should be emphasized. Which raises the question: Can you sell Holy sites to would-be religious tourists and secular good times to Maxim readers at the same time?
The man behind the Maxim crew’s visit believes you can: “You have to match the message to the audience.”
Okay, Mr. Marketing Guru, how about this one: How do you reach the conflicted young man who enjoys Maxim’s Hometown Hotties and the Book of Job? Do you go after the angel on his left shoulder or the devil on his right? Or both?
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
Gus 07.10.07 | 2:48 AM ET
To improve its brand, Israel should terminate the conflict with Palestine. Greece did the same with Turkey in order to improve brand Greece
lotem 02.22.08 | 3:31 PM ET
hi , Israel`s babes are amazing ( i am live in israel ) , and the places is more !
search engine optimization companies 04.11.08 | 8:35 AM ET
I am amazed to see how we’ve lost our cultural values. People don’t travel for the sites and history anymore. They wanna see diversity and weird specific things. They go eat everywhere they believe to find something new. We’re all about doing what we have never done before.
Sue 04.14.08 | 4:56 PM ET
I would like to know how an American woman should dress, while visiting Israel. Is it more appropriate to wear skirts, as opposed to slacks, capri’s and shorts? Do we have to cover our hair with scarves? If any one out there has been there, recently in 2008, is it dangerous for Americans? Should we travel in groups? Thank-You. I appreciate any advice anyone can provide.
Public Shell Consultants 05.28.08 | 4:42 PM ET
I guess they figured “when in doubt, get a hot chick in a bikini”... Funny, but I don’t know how it’s going to suddenly improve tourist views of Israel, with all of the news and everything negative we hear about what’s going on in the Gaza Strip.
Steave 06.26.08 | 6:51 AM ET
hi , Israel`s babes are amazing - Agree! But the strong traditions make them inaccessible :)
NAV 06.26.08 | 7:07 AM ET
Iranian and Israeli women are beautiful. This two opposite counties has great girls, but the Iranians want to hide them from other eyes
Orange County Web Design 07.01.08 | 2:31 PM ET
Yeah the women are gorgeous, but that’s not the point here. The point is a Maxim shoot isn’t going to make Israel a more attractive tourist destination IMO.