Businessman Yoav Igra, the developer of Harrod's Hotel Eilat, has submitted a plan to the Ministry of Tourism and Ramat Hanegev Regional Council for ten boutique hotels of 30-40 rooms each. The hotels will cost about $8 million each to build.
Under the plan, the hotels will be built sequentially across the southern Negev, including Mizpeh Ramon, the Arava valley, and Shivta. Each hotel will be built on a seven-dunam (1.75-acre) lot. A logistics center for the chain will be built in Beer Sheva.
Igra has been promoting his "Eshkol Banegev" hotel venture for three years. The venture is aimed at the high-end tourist market. The hotels will be built within short travels times from each other, and each will specialize in a field, such as challenging sports, health, or desert tourism. The whole chain will utilize a single logistics and services center.
The site for each hotel will emphasize remoteness and desert vistas. They will have a desert architecture and motif, integrating the terrain, and without harming the site's natural character. Igra says the unique plan and the need to meet international luxury hotel standards will probably mean a higher-than-usual investment in each hotel.
Ramat Hanegev Regional Council director general Shmuel Rifman said Igra's hotel concept suited the desert and mountainous region, and would create a unique experience for attracting a high-class audience. "Igra's venture has immense potential for the region," said Rifman. "The Ramat Hanegev Regional Council is very interested in it."
Following positive reactions by senior Ministry of Tourism officials, Igra is strongly promoting the project. The project has been sent to the Ministry of Tourism planning committee and Israel Land Administration (ILA) for approval.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 17, 2004