Israeli version of 'the Amazing Race'
Chinese 'Amazing Race' calls off Israel shoot
Tourism Ministry strike forces Chinese production of successful reality game show to reconsider plan to film a leg of competition in Holy Land.
The Chinese production of reality television game show "The Amazing Race" will likely be forced to cancel its plans to film a leg of the competition in Israel next month due to a workers strike at the Tourism Ministry, Ynet has learned.
About four years ago, the Australian version of "The Amazing Race" broadcast two episodes shot in Israel. The show's contestants visited Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and Masada, and their tasks included playing matkot (a popular paddle ball game) and interpreting a scroll written in Hebrew.
Tourism Ministry officials have expressed their disappointment over the cancellation plans after the ministry has invested many efforts in increasing the exposure to Israel in China.
Open Skies
Move by Hainan Airlines will likely see fall in prices on line that was until now El Al's domain; flight times, however, are expected to remain the same.
"The Amazing Race" is a successful reality format worldwide in which teams of two people race against other teams while moving from country to country around the globe. The team that arrives first in the final leg receives the grand prize.
The fourth season of the Israeli version of the show began last Saturday on Channel 2. It is broadcast by the Reshet television network and has particularly high ratings.
The Tourism Ministry offered the following response: "The Chinese production of 'The Amazing Race' expressed its desire to film in Israel in the beginning of December. The Ministry is working to get organized in time and cater to the production's complex demands.
"We have only a week and a half to prepare the logistics for five teams and dozens of participants, alongside the uncertainty regarding accommodation possibilities in light of the Tourism Ministry workers' strike."
Danny Sadeh contributed to this report.
