By Gal Mor, ROI Micro Grant recipient

While Israel is the largest exporter per capita of backpackers to various destinations around the world (mostly due to post army Israelis needing a break), it's still a very small market when it comes to incoming backpackers coming to tour the Holy Land.

As a large hostel owner in Jerusalem, Abraham Hostel, and an operator of tours geared towards the backpacker crowd, otherwise known in the industry as "budget independent travelers" or budget FIT's (foreign incoming tourists), growing this market is a key interest to which I and my partners devote a good amount of time and effort.

This time my efforts took me to Vancouver, Canada where thanks to a generous Micro Grant from ROI, I was able to attend this years' WHC (World Hostel Conference).  In attendance this year where 170 hostel industry leaders from around the world to whom I was eager to present a case for Israel and the Middle East becoming the next world hotspot for international backpackers!

My presentation at the conference explored the virtues and attractions Israel had to offer to the independent budget backpacker, and why now the time is right for Israel to present itself as a key destination for the budget FIT's.

As always when speaking to people abroad about touring Israel, the topic of security was a troubling one for many.  To this, I responded with my standard reply, "How safe are New York and London these days from random attacks of terrorism?" For those interested in delving further into this aspect I engaged in a deeper conversation regarding the over exaggeration in the world media of the internal security situation in Israel, and how surprisingly safe people actually feel when visiting Israel.

During my presentation I also explored the potential of the region of the Middle East becoming a "beaten path" destination for backpackers looking to hop national boarders and explore a region rich in culture, history, religion and unique geography.

When initially planning my presentation several months ago, I had not anticipated the magnitude of the "Arab Spring" affecting our close neighbors so powerfully.  Despite this I tried to present my true and hopeful belief in an optimistic outcome for our neighbors which will lead them to enjoy a larger degree of Democracy subsequently leading to better and closer relationships with Israel and a greater level of security for the region.

The social program of the conference proved to be as productive if not more than the professional content part.  With Molson (a great Canadian Brewery) sponsoring the social events, free beer was in abundance!  Mingling with a great looking and diverse crowd of professionals in the world hostel industry, over large amounts of great Canadian Beer helped me ease their inbred concerns over traveling to Israel.  The greatest accomplishment of the conference and defiantly the climax for me was when it was officially announced that the 2012 WHC will be held in Jerusalem in November, 2012!

Now that I am back in Israel (enough time to fully overcome my jet lag), I'm focused on starting to prepare the event in the magnificent city of Jerusalem where it's expected that around 300 professionals from the world hostel industry will be coming to explore the great country of Israel and the newest developments in the hosteling industry around the world.

Anyone interested in more info about my experiences at the conference is invited to email me at:  gal@abrahamhostels.com

Thanks once again to ROI and the great Micro Grant's program for making it possible for me to travel to this great and memorable event!