The first group of Chinese tourists will be heading for Israel on Sept. 25, visiting Israeli tourism minister Ruhama Avraham Balila said in Beijing on Thursday.

The Chinese tourists will take a 10-day trip to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, she said.

China and Israel signed an agreement last year that made the Middle East nation an approved destination for Chinese tour groups.

The agreement is expected to be officially implemented starting from Sept. 15.

Balila said her ministry will open a representative office in Beijing to better tap the Chinese market.

Israeli tourism departments were preparing more Chinese-language maps, brochures. They were also training more Chinese-speaking tour guides and encouraging the opening of more Chinese restaurants, she said.

Balila said Israeli will simplify visa application procedures for Chinese tourists, so that the processing time can be reduced to one week.

Israel Airlines operates three flights a week from Beijing to Tel Aviv.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2008)