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July 29, 2005
Israeli retreat a commercial hit
The ancient Roman spa at Hamat Gader remains one of the country's
best-kept secrets.
SIMON GRIVER ISRAEL PRESS SERVICE
Set in a secluded mountain nature reserve and with Israel's only
naturally flowing hot mineral springs, Hamat Gader is by far the
country's most popular commercial tourist attraction. The site's
renovated Roman baths and a range of other attractions – including
treatments and massages, a water park, a crocodile farm and other
animal exhibits – drew 735,000 visitors in 2004.
Although tourist locations like the Western Wall in Jerusalem presumably
draw more visitors than Hamat Gader, the spa in northern Israel
is easily the most popular site among commercial attractions. The
second-placed tourist attraction in 2004 was Mini Israel, the world's
largest miniature model, with just over 500,000 visitors.
Danny Lovenstein, CEO of Hamat Gader, estimates that more than 90
per cent of the visitors last year were Israelis, meaning that the
site remains one of Israel's best-kept secrets in the international
tourist market.
"This year, we see an increase in the number of overseas visitors,"
he said, "but we are still only scratching the surface of global
potential. Millions of visitors flock each year to Bath in England.
Roman baths are of great cultural interest and bathing was one of
the great leisure activities of the [Roman] Empire."
Located in hilly terrain near the Sea of Galilee and overlooking
the Yarmuk River as it flows down to the Jordan River, Hamat Gader
was established in the second century BCE by the Tenth Roman Legion.
The spa soon became recognized as the second most beautiful baths
in the Roman Empire, after Baia in Italy, and was known internationally
as the Three Graces – symbolizing charm, youth and beauty.
The baths were badly damaged by an earthquake in the seventh century
and eventually abandoned in the ninth century.
In modern times, Hamat Gader was re-established in 1977, more than
40 years after archeologists excavated much of the ancient baths.
Four local kibbutzim – Mevo Hama, Kfar Hariv, Afik and Meitzar
– own the company that operates the spa and surrounding attractions.
Billed as Israel's Garden of Eden, Hamat Gader has successfully
developed as an exclusive tourist retreat.
"We provide visitors with a first-class infrastructure,"
stressed Lovenstein, "while continually adding new attractions
and upgrading existing facilities. In the past five years alone,
Hamat Gader has invested nearly $10 million in improving the site."
Bathers at Hamat Gader enjoy the benefits of five hot springs ranging
in temperature from 28°C to 52°C. Habossem Spring, the most
popular of the baths, has a constant temperature of 42°C and
contains sulphur and other minerals with therapeutic qualities that
include enhancing the metabolism, renewing cells, relieving aching
joints and easing disorders of the urinal and digestive systems.
The water constantly and naturally changes, with no recycling necessary.
The central baths are equipped with Jacuzzi beds and seats, water
cannons for pain relief, a whirlpool, a huge waterfall and wooden
cabins for treatments and massages.
Hamat Gader offers a diverse range of treatments and massages, including
Swedish, four hands Swedish, shiatsu, Thai, sports, iowada, aromatic,
crystals, hot stones, hydrotherapy, reflexology, reiki and Thai
bowls, as well as special massages for pregnant women. All treatments
and massages are administered by highly qualified and experienced
professionals.
This mixture of history, archeology, bathing and quality leisure
facilities is a major hit with visitors.
"The youngsters had lots of fun splashing about and they learned
a lot about the history of the region," said Charlotte Benjamin,
a youth counsellor from London who visited Hamat Gader recently.
Mara Dornbrook from Pittsburgh described Hamat Gader as "awesome.
I didn't realize that the Romans lived in such sophistication and
style," she observed.
Shai Forman from Haifa was impressed by the quality of the service
and facilities at Hamat Gader.
"I want to go back because we were so spoiled by the staff,"
he remarked.
Hamat Gader's crocodile farm contains different varieties of alligators
and crocodiles from around the world. Several hundred of these predators
can be safely observed both in water and on land. Other animal attractions
include a mini safari with mountain goats, deer, ostriches, baboons
and more. There is also a petting corner, performing parrots and
exotic snakes.
Hamat Gader's newest attraction, Splash, is a water park with a
swimming pool and slides; it is especially refreshing in the hot
months. Sports facilities include a mini soccer field, beach volleyball
on sand, football pitches and basketball courts.
Some 30 per cent of visitors to Hamat Gader eat at the site's food
outlets, which include a dairy café and bar and two gourmet
restaurants, Siam, which serves Far Eastern cuisine and Hamachvat
(The Frying Pan), which offers Mediterranean cooking.
The site's most exclusive spring was recently refurbished as an
upmarket spa and hotel. The hotel comprises 28 elegant units, each
with a Jacuzzi and a presidential suite. Entry is restricted to
adults (over 16) and guests receive towels, gowns, disposable shoes
and a personal locker.
"It is difficult for us to persuade overseas tourists to come
here because we are perceived as being so far from the centre of
Israel," lamented Lovenstein. "But Israel is a tiny country
and with the opening of the new Trans-Israel Highway, we are only
two hours from Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem. Visitors won't regret the
journey."
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