All the news about Israeli tourism
2009-06-17 - Vol 18
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9,000 jobs losses expected in tourism industry in Q1 2009
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The economic department of the Israel Hotel Association reported that 3,000 permanent hotel workers and an additional 500 manpower workers lost their jobs in the first quarter of the year. Shmuel Zuriel: “We estimate that in the first quarter of 2009, the number of job dismissals in the tourist industry will total about 9,000 workers.”
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Groups arrivals down 28% since start of the year
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Since the beginning of 2009 there has been a sharp fall in the number of group arrivals reaching Israel. This is based on data released by the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association (IITOA). Between January and May a total of 282,000 tourists arrived as part of groups, this compared with 385,000 in the same period last year.
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Incoming tourism to Israel slumps 22% since the beginning of 2009
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Since the start of 2009 there were a total of 968,000 visitors to Israel, this represents a 22 percent fall compared to the corresponding period last year. A similar percentage fall was also recorded in May. Minister of Tourism commented: “We are formulating a plane to confront the worldwide economic recession and the slump in tourism.”
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New aviation agreement signed between Israel and Brazil
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Representatives of the Ministries of Transport of Israel and Brazil signed a new aviation agreement allowing Israeli airlines the right to operate up to 10 regular flights a week between the two countries. The agreement also allows Israel and Brazil to operate up to 30 charter flights a year to each destination.
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Campaign against second international airport in Megiddo
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The campaigners against the construction of a second international airport in Megiddo, argue that according to the estimation of many experts in the fields of transportation, aviation and the environment; the construction of a new international airport at Megiddo will result in the complete ruination of the view, the land and of the Israeli inheritance.
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Cooperation between El Al and Fattal Hotels
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Fattal Hotel chain and El Al have begun cooperating on a new agreement which will award a bonus of $100 on the purchase of an airline ticket or on a holiday package. According to the two companies, the step has been taken among other things to encourage the sale of holiday packages in Israel.
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El Al again raises ticket prices
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From the 18th June, El Al will once again be increasing their ticket prices. A spokesperson for the company explained that the decision was taken following a further increase in the price of oil. Amit Livni, head of marketing commented “El Al, like other world airlines has been forced to act because of the upward trend in oil prices and the forecast for this to continue in the coming months.”
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British Airways reduces prices to London by 35%
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British Airways has announced the reduction of prices of airline tickets on the Tel Aviv to London route by 35 percent for this summer. The decision was taken based on the large supply of tickets on the route and because of the fierce competition. Yael Katan: “The number of passengers on the route has not increased, however we are looking at being more competitive.”
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ITAA asked to stop legal action against Lufthansa and Swiss
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The district court judge in Petach Tikva, Esther Stemmer sat in judgment following a request from the lawyers of Lufthansa and Swiss to cancel the writ issued by the Israel Travel Agents Association, served against them; arguing that they had not answered the criteria of a travel agent. Stemmer: “Cancelling the writ from the Travel Agents Association – is not a bad option at all.”
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