Editing Mitzpe Ramon (section)

== Economy ==
[[File:Mizpe Ramon.jpg|thumb|Mitzpe Ramon street scene|alt=Mitzpe Ramon street scene|border|275x275px]]
The development of Mitzpe Ramon was adversely affected by the opening of [[Route 90 (Israel)|Route 90]] in the late 1960s. After the inauguration of this highway, traffic to and from Eilat bypassed Mitzpe Ramon almost entirely. However, growing interest in [[ecotourism]], Jeep trekking (access to Nabatean ruins), mountain biking and hiking, [[Amateur astronomy|stargazing]] and the upgrading of [[Route 40 (Israel)|Route 40]], which is considered a more scenic route to Eilat, have improved the economy.

Jerusalem Marble, one of a few major suppliers and overseas exporters of [[Jerusalem stone]] (established in 1923), inaugurated a state-of-the-art  factory in Mitzpe Ramon in January 2000.<ref>[http://www.stoneworld.com/Archives/0e4d29fd9e5f7010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0 Supplying the world with Jerusalem stone]</ref> Jerusalem Stone is exported globally.

Mitzpe Ramon has six hotels and dozens of [[bed and breakfast]] establishments. In 2011, the [[Isrotel]] hotel chain opened a luxury hotel, the Beresheet Hotel, in Mitzpe Ramon.<ref name="haaretz-canyon" />

The Tourism Ministry allocated NIS 9.5 million for infrastructure development in Mitzpe Ramon, and the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee financed the construction of a landing strip for light aircraft.<ref name="haaretz-canyon" /> In December 2013, a [[Las Vegas]]-style [[Casino]] was planned for the town.<ref>[http://israel21c.org/israel-in-the-spotlight/vegas-in-the-negev/ Vegas in the Negev?]</ref>