All the news about Israeli tourism
2009-08-26 - Vol 27
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Busy August at Ben Gurion Airport
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Based on data from the Israel Airports Authority, during the first three weeks of August 971,000 passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport on international flights. Domestic tourism also showed a recovery with a 34 percent increase in the numbers of travelers.
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El Al cleared by Ministry of Transport to fly to Eilat
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The Minister of Transport has decided to adopt the recommendations of the Civil Aviation Authority to approve El Al’s application to fly scheduled flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Eilat, along with Arkia and Israir. The reason for the decision: It will lead to the increased exposure of Eilat and Israel as a tourist destination.
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ISSTA estimate 300,000 Israelis to travel overseas during the high holydays
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Ronen Karaso, vice president of marketing for Issta: “During the first half of the year there was a 12 percent fall in outbound passenger traffic, however this slowed right down in July and in August showed an increase of 7 percent in passenger traffic. The highest prices will be during the Succoth holiday period.”
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Arkia & Israir to appeal to the State Comptroller
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The response of the two Israeli airlines following the approval by the Ministry of Transport for El Al to fly to Eilat: This is a political decision which will strengthen El Al’s monopoly and will not result in lower fares to Eilat, but will harm interests of the domestic traveler.
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Hoteliers continue to suffer from the slump in incoming tourism
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Based on data from the Israel Hotels Association, July 2009 saw a 17 percent decrease in the number of tourist hotel nights compared to July 2008. Domestic tourism failed to increase and room occupancy fell by 6 percent. Hotels Association: “Tourists are cutting short their stay in Israel.”
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Caspi Aviation to operate scheduled flights between Moscow & Eilat
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The tourism wholesaler, specializing in holidays to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), will from the 5th September offer seats on Sun d’Or flights departing from Moscow every Saturday. Caspi Aviation: “Hotels in Eilat have already expressed their agreement to receive guests on Saturdays.
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Isrotel: 7 million shekels half year profit
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The Isrotel hotel chain reported half year profits of 7 million shekels, compared to a loss of 53 million shekels for the corresponding period last year. Revenues for the hotel chain totaled 320 million shekels, this compared with 316 million in 2008.
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Open Sky to represent Aeroflot in Israel
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Aeroflot, the second largest Russian airline, is to be appointed as the second carrier on the route from Moscow to Tel Aviv. Aeroflot, operator of 2 weekly flights on the route between Moscow and Eilat, in recent days signed an agreement to be represented in Israel by Open Sky.
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Chairman of Eilat Hotel Association: “The real war between El Al and Arkia and Israir will be over landing slots.”
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Shabtay Shai estimates the beginning of the competition over the Eilat skies: “El Al’s real test will be to fit its new timetable to its incoming flights to Israel and not its competition with Arkia and Israir over Israeli hearts.”
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