All the news about Israeli tourism
2009-07-08 - Vol 21
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Prime Minister decides no VAT on tourism to Israel
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Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the cancellation of plans to impose 16.5 percent VAT on the purchase of foreign tourist services in Israel, as raised by the budgetary department of the Treasury as part of the Economic Law of Arrangements. Earlier Netanyahu had agreed to waive the addition of VAT on fruit and vegetables. Eli Gonen: “I hope that for the time being, tourism will receive the appropriate treatment and will contribute to the country’s employment and revenue.”
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Antitrust Authority approves the merger of Aviation Links and Sunorama
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The General Director of the Israel Antitrust Authority, Ronit Kan, has approved the purchase of 50 percent of the shares of Sunorama Cruises by Aviation Links Ltd. The approval by the General Director constituted a necessary condition for the agreement. Aviation Links purchased the shares to the value of 2.02 million shekels.
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US Airways arrives in Israel
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US Airways, the 5th largest airline in the United States, made its maiden flight to Tel Aviv with the inauguration of its direct service from Philadelphia. Tel Aviv is the company’s first destination in the Middle East.
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9% fewer passengers expected at Ben Gurion Airport this summer
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Based on data from the Israel Airports Authority about 2.3 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport this summer, a reduction of 9 percent on last year. During the first few days of July, 178,000 passengers are expected to pass though Ben Gurion Airport on 1,200 passenger flights.
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Israir: Revival in Israelis traveling overseas
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Dori Shoshan, VP of Marketing at Israir indicated that despite the fall in the number of passengers traveling to Turkey this summer, a revival in bookings is expected. Shoshan: “Ultimately there is no complete substitute for Turkey, although this year there are other destinations for the Israeli holidaymaker to choose.”
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A new organization to replace ITTAA?
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It has been reported to the Educational Travel website that the owners of a number of travel agents have recently combined with the intention of creating a new professional body, to address their needs and those of others in the industry. One of the initiators of the organization said: “We have doubts in the ability of the association to respond to the wishes and interests of all agents.”
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Easy Jet to fly to Israel this winter
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Low cost carrier Easy Jet, the second largest carrier in Britain, announced its intention to start operating a direct service to Israel from this coming winter. Easy Jet will operate six flights a week from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv. The price of the flight will start at £72 one way.
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New tourism agreement between Israel and Belarus
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Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov and his Belarussian counterpart, Minister of Sport and Tourism, Oleg Kachan, will in the coming days sign a new tourism agreement in Minsk, the Belarus capital, with the aim of strengthening tourist ties between the two countries.
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Eshet Tours: Israelis still traveling in significant numbers to Turkey
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The marketing manager of Eshet Tours: “It seems that this year because of the advertisements of speacial offers to Turkey, Israelis are in no great hurry to make reservations too far ahead, but for now we have noticed that we are not speaking about a drastic fall in reservations, just more last minute bookings.
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