Name: Haim Gutin
Title: Commissioner, North and South America
Company, city: Israel Ministry of Tourism; New York, N.Y.
Number of employees: 60 in the United States
Recent project: Every day, we have at least 10 projects in the works. Recent projects include a media campaign to the Christian market; online training for travel agents; and organizing media visits, conferences, seminars and trade shows.
First job: As a student, I was a security guard and paramedic.
Little-known fact about you: I’ve practiced martial arts, and I love to play soccer.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: As a government agency, it is essential to reach between the bureaucracy and the private sector. My personal philosophy is to give people the freedom to work and know their job; judge only by the final results, not by the way they got there. You can learn something from everything.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Don’t cut corners. Understand the task at hand. Prepare beforehand and never underestimate projects or people. Know your own weaknesses. Be strong in your beliefs and don’t change strategies willy-nilly.
Yardstick of success: Always find something good in what you do; stay optimistic and measure success when you see positivity. If all the people I work with are happy, I am successful.
Haim Gutin as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? A good book, good music and an iPad
How do you spend your time on board? I love to read and listen to music. It’s a time of reflection, both on past projects and future endeavors. If traveling with colleagues, I like to talk with them and get to know them better.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Café Pushkin, Moscow; it reminds me of my mother’s food.
What is your favorite destination in the world? For leisure, the Bahamas or Bermuda. For history and culture, Europe, Asia and South America.
About Israel Ministry of Tourism
What can luxury travelers expect from a trip to Israel? Israel is a destination for those seeking more than shopping, more than just pleasure. It’s the chance to experience everything from a different angle. Unique to Israel is the ability to fulfill a traveler’s spiritual energy; no matter your religion, you feel the buzz in the atmosphere. As they say, you go to Jerusalem to pray — Jerusalem is history — and Tel Aviv to play. All around the country, we truly have something for everyone; pictures come alive in Israel. And for the luxury traveler, aside from the overall added value of the destination, more and more luxury hotel brands are coming to Israel, including the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem and a Kempinski in Tel Aviv.
What initiatives are in place in Israel to attract business travel? The number of flourishing industries in Israel — high-tech, agriculture, medicine, security — are a huge attraction to business travelers. People come to learn from Israel. While it is not a business travel destination per se, the opportunity is there. The country also has a good transportation infrastructure, excellent signage and everything is in English, making it an easy destination in which to conduct business. In Israel, different cultures live together peacefully and respect each other, which is hospitable for any type of visitor.
What is the most challenging aspect of attracting North American travelers to Israel? We are slowly changing North Americans’ perceptions of Israel; it is an extremely safe place to visit, and other ideas of the area are misconceptions. It is a secure, normal travel destination. We have the lowest crime rate in the world. We have the potential to reach 1 million tourists in 2014, and 38 percent of those visitors are repeat travelers. Our hope is that those visitors become ambassadors for Israel, conveying the message and inspiring others to visit.
Read This Next
Lotte Hotel Seoul
2014 / February 2014
Jun 1, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 22, 2025Sister Property to Versace Mansion Opens in Miami Beach This May
This May, Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, the official sister property to Versace Mansion (now The Villa Casa Casuarina), debuts in Miami Beach. The new hotel and restaurant breathes life into a 1920s, Wallace Tutt-designed gem, with just six guestrooms for the ultimate intimate experience.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
April 2025
Apr 21, 2025Unwind Year-Round in Switzerland’s Charming Resort Towns
The best-known towns in the Swiss Alps are the ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, but skiing isn’t their only attraction. Winter or summer, you can expect a lively nightlife scene. Known for its posh hotels, St. Moritz was well-established as a year- round resort even before it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928.
Daily
Apr 21, 2025Alisal Ranch, California, Launches Culinary Bootcamps
Horses, California sunshine and great food are on the menu at luxurious Alisal Ranch in Solvang, located on 10,500 acres in the gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley. Throughout the year, guests can look forward to a great selection of programs designed in partnership with Chef’s Roll, a culinary community comprised of MICHELIN-starred chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, culinary students and hospitality industry professionals. Events at the ranch will include a BBQ Bootcamp May 4–6, and a BBQ University from Sept. 2 to 5.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
Daily
Apr 21, 20257 Luxury Hotels for Mocktails
These seven luxury properties around the world offer sober and sober-curious travelers standout mocktail selections.
Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead Completes Renovation
Daily
Apr 18, 2025Daily
Apr 18, 2025Azamara Cruises Announces Shore Excursions for Maiden Voyage to Greenland
Azamara Cruises has unveiled its new shore programming for its Greenland sailings, which start this July. The cruise line is known for its Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days; all the immersive shore excursions for Greenland sailings have been created in collaboration with local communities to showcase Greenland’s natural beauty. Due to Azamara’s commitment to locally driven experiences, guests will engage with the destination’s unique culture while supporting the local people.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
Daily
Apr 17, 2025Embark on a Whale Sharks and Dragons Expedition Aboard “Prana by Atzaro”
Hand-built of iron and teak using traditional boat building practices (and steeped in luxury), Prana by Atzaro — a traditional sailing vessel known as a phinisi — can comfortably accommodate up to 18 people in nine sumptuous stateroom suites. Experience this unique sailing experience yourself on board the stunning yacht during a new seven-night, eight-day Whale Sharks and Dragons Expedition.
ShareThis