Our History
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People often ask, “How did you get into the tour business?” I was working as a consultant with a ministry in Florida. We were doing fundraising banquets all over America. One day, the leader of the ministry asked, “Duke, where is the best place to have a high donor banquet?” I had visited Israel for the first time a little over a year earlier and off the top of my head, I said, “The Hilton Hotel in Jerusalem.” He said, “Tell me about that.” I replied, “If you invite some of your high donors to accompany you to Israel, you speak to the them at the most significant and holiest sites there – you will become their spiritual leader and advisor as never before.” He asked,” Can you set all of that up for me?” I answered, “Of course.” That was in 1981. DuCar International Tours was born. We have led thousands of people on tours with Churches, Christian Ministries, Political & Television Personalities, Advocacy Organizations and college students for credit. After the 9/11 attacks, we took a number of groups of Law Enforcement Officers to Israel for Counterterrorism Training. |
Carlene, Duke & Kim |
The Westovers in Israel
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DuCar has taken news and political personalities, such as Governors Mike Huckabee & Sonny Perdue and television and radio host Glenn Beck and LtCol Oliver North. I have been asked many times, “ Does traveling to Israel ever get old.” The answer is, “ NO.” In fact, beginning with the first group, watching the faces and seeing the reactions of people experiencing the Holy Land for the first time has become a passion. It never gets old. I HOPE IT NEVER DOES. |
Our ClientsJerry Falwell, Jonathan Falwell, Glenn Beck, Oliver North, Mat & Anita Staver, Mike Huckabee, Benny Tate, Ergun Caner, Ed Hindson, Jerry Prevo, Benny Hinn, Joe Brown, Dino Kartsonakis, Lester Hutson, Jed Linebaugh, Terry Faulkenberry, Liberty University and so many more.
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Awards
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From Jerusalem Post January 2016
Duke Westover, a Lynchburg Virginia wholesale tour operator, received a lifetime achievement award from Israeli Knesset Christian Allies Caucus together with the World Jewish Congress and the Israel Ministry of Tourism. The award was bestowed in a ceremony for his steadfast commitment to the State of Israel.
Government leaders and Knesset members from across the political spectrum joined Jewish and Christian leaders for the 10th annual “ Night to Honor Christian Leaders” at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem.
In his acceptance speech, Westover said, “One of the great joys of my live is introducing people to Israel for the first time.”
Along with his wife, Carlene, Duke Westover started DuCar International Tours in 1981 and has organized tours to Israel more than 75 times. Thousands of people have participated in the organized tours, including Pastors, church members, representatives of Christian ministries, political and television personalities, advocacy organizations and students. Westover was at one time the executive assistant to Dr. Jerry Falwell, founder and president of Liberty University, Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and one of the founders of the Moral Majority.
Jay Rawlings, a Canadian- Israeli documentary film producer was similarly honored. He has produced, directed and written more than 130 documentaries about Israel, educating a global audience and winning several awards. He was instrumental in smuggling in and out information on behalf of Refusenik Jews in the Soviet Union. He and his wife, Meridel, run Israel Vision TV, which seeks to challenge, inform and inspire a wide audience to stand up against bigotry, racism and ignorance regarding Israel.
Caucus chairman MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu Party) delivered an address at the reception on the importance of developing Judeo-Christian relations based on shared values. Other speakers included World Jewish Congress Israel Chairman Shai Hermesh, WJC-Israel Director-General Sam Grundwerg, caucus member MK Michael Oren (Kulanu Party), caucus Director Josh Reinstein, caucus deputy chairman and deputy Knesset speaker Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union Party), All Nations Convocations President Tom Hess, and Father Gabriel Naddaf of the Christian Empowerment Council.
“Today it is Christians not countries that stand with Israel. We must recognize the importance of that support and encourage it whenever we can,” said Josh Reinstein.
Duke Westover, a Lynchburg Virginia wholesale tour operator, received a lifetime achievement award from Israeli Knesset Christian Allies Caucus together with the World Jewish Congress and the Israel Ministry of Tourism. The award was bestowed in a ceremony for his steadfast commitment to the State of Israel.
Government leaders and Knesset members from across the political spectrum joined Jewish and Christian leaders for the 10th annual “ Night to Honor Christian Leaders” at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem.
In his acceptance speech, Westover said, “One of the great joys of my live is introducing people to Israel for the first time.”
Along with his wife, Carlene, Duke Westover started DuCar International Tours in 1981 and has organized tours to Israel more than 75 times. Thousands of people have participated in the organized tours, including Pastors, church members, representatives of Christian ministries, political and television personalities, advocacy organizations and students. Westover was at one time the executive assistant to Dr. Jerry Falwell, founder and president of Liberty University, Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and one of the founders of the Moral Majority.
Jay Rawlings, a Canadian- Israeli documentary film producer was similarly honored. He has produced, directed and written more than 130 documentaries about Israel, educating a global audience and winning several awards. He was instrumental in smuggling in and out information on behalf of Refusenik Jews in the Soviet Union. He and his wife, Meridel, run Israel Vision TV, which seeks to challenge, inform and inspire a wide audience to stand up against bigotry, racism and ignorance regarding Israel.
Caucus chairman MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu Party) delivered an address at the reception on the importance of developing Judeo-Christian relations based on shared values. Other speakers included World Jewish Congress Israel Chairman Shai Hermesh, WJC-Israel Director-General Sam Grundwerg, caucus member MK Michael Oren (Kulanu Party), caucus Director Josh Reinstein, caucus deputy chairman and deputy Knesset speaker Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union Party), All Nations Convocations President Tom Hess, and Father Gabriel Naddaf of the Christian Empowerment Council.
“Today it is Christians not countries that stand with Israel. We must recognize the importance of that support and encourage it whenever we can,” said Josh Reinstein.