Following its spring edition, the Touch the Land tourism initiative returns this summer with dozens of activities to be held throughout the Tkuma region and the Western Negev. Between August 6 and 22, families from across the country will be able to participate in a variety of agricultural and tourist experiences at subsidized prices ranging from NIS 15 to NIS 90 per person.
The project, operated by the Tekuma Directorate, the Shikma Besor Tourism Association, the Western Negev Cluster, and the Merage Foundation, aims to encourage the public to visit the region, become familiar with local agriculture, and support the businesses and communities operating there.
Planned activities include fruit and vegetable picking, agricultural farm tours, bicycle trips through the fields, family navigation exercises, creative natural-material workshops, field-to-plate activities, meetings with farmers, as well as evening and night tours.
Participating sites include the Salad Trail in Talmei Yosef, Ofer's Raspberries in Netiv Ha'asara, the Honey House at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, Shokeda Forest, Hatzerim Tourism, and Mitzpe Gvulot, with some of the activities developed specifically for the summer edition.
Aviad Friedman, head of the Tkuma Directorate, said the goal of the initiative is to connect visitors to the region through agriculture and the people living there. "Investing in tourism allows us to expose families to life in the Tkuma region while simultaneously supporting small businesses and local agriculture," he said.
The events will take place in cooperation with the Tourism Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry.
Advance registration is available on the Shikma Besor tourism website.