More than 20 national parks and nature reserves run by the Israel Nature and National Parks Authority (INNPA) and the Jewish National Fund will be open free of charge from Sunday to Friday next week.

"The project will bring tens of thousands of tourists to the north and promote tourism significantly during the holiday," said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski. "It's the best way to bring life back to normal and provide a living for thousands of people who make a living from tourism in the north."

The following sites will be open free of charge: the national parks Zipori, Achziv, Tal Forest, Bar'am, Hatzor, Nimrod Fortress, Kursi, Korazim, Hamat Tiberias, Beit Shearim, Beit Alfa, Kochav Hayarden, Megiddo, Yahiam and Beit Shean; the nature reserves Nahal Ayun, Ein Afek, Nahal Amud, Nahal Mearot, Majarsa, Gamla and Hula (not including the fowl exhibit); and the Agmon, Hula and Yarden Park sites.

People in the tourist business in the Galilee reported a rise in the number of visitors expected over Sukkot. Meir Levy, chairman of the Upper Galilee Tourism Forum and manager of the Gonen recreation site, said that demand for accommodations in the Galilee over Sukkot was high and occupancy was almost full. "On Rosh Hashanah, many guest rooms remained empty, but for Sukkot, demand is higher," he said.

Levy said that tourism to the Galilee is recovering but still needs encouragement. "Some guest rooms along the border are still only half booked. Everyone can return to the region now, it's safe and quiet," he added.

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