All the news about Israeli tourism
2009-10-28 - Vol 34
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Eliezer Shkedi appointed CEO of El Al
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General Eliezer Shkedi (52), former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force, is the new CEO of El Al. Shkedi replaces Haim Romano who leaves El Al after 5 years in the role. The Board of El Al chose Shkedi over two other candidates, Giora Bar Dea and Shlomo Liran
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El Al increase fares as winter season approaches
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El Al has announced that in light of the increase in the price of aviation fuel in the last month, which touched a high of $81 a barrel, it is to increase the fuel surcharge. Eli Cohen: “The continuing trend of increasing aviation fuel prices compels us to add an additional fuel surcharge.”
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Arkia cancels flights to Georgia
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Arkia has announced that it has been forced to cancel all of its scheduled flights to Georgia, this as a result of the decision of the Georgian Aviation Authority to prevent the Israeli airline from landing in the country. Arkia: “Passengers are requested to contact the telephone help desk.”
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Eco Tours: The Venezuelan government is making life impossible for Israeli tourists
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Specialist travel company Eco Tours planned to take a group of Israeli travelers to Venezuela on 2nd November, but encountered obstacles placed in their path by the Venezuelan government. Ronen Raz CEO: “We are suspending trips for Israeli travelers to Venezuela until a settlement has been reached between the two countries.”
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Lufthansa to operate PrivatAir flights to Munich during the winter season
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Lufthansa has announced that starting from 8th November; it plans to operate narrow bodied jets of Swiss company PrivatAir on the Munich to Tel Aviv route. Lufthansa: There will be two classes of service, compatible with those found on the Lufthansa’s airbus A330 and A340 services.
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16% fall in hotel nights during September
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In September 2009 there was a 28 percent fall in hotel nights recorded for overseas guests and an 8 percent fall for Israelis, compared to the same month last year. This was revealed by the reports of the Israel Hotels Association. Regional occupancy levels declined by 18 percent, standing at a overall rate of 56 percent.
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Amit Livni to end his term at El Al
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Amit Livni, head of marketing for El Al has announced his intention to leave his position at the end of the year after 3 years with the company. Livni: “I leave the position with much satisfaction and with great hope that the company will have great success under the new CEO.
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Austrian Airlines to pay travel agents 10% commission
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Austrian Airlines has announced that it will pay travel agents an additional 3 percent commission on the sale on the higher travel class tickets. Eli Messer, head of Austrian Airlines in Israel: “This is a commercial decision whose aim is to encourage the business sector.”
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Antitrust Authority approves merger of Fattal Hotels & Azorim Hotels Management
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The Antitrust Authority in cooperation with the Exemptions and Mergers Advisory Committee approved the merger of the Fattal Hotel chain and Azorim Hotels Management. The commissioner: “The merged company is not expected to have a dominant position in the market and therefore there is no risk in changing the operations and market forces in relation to travel agents.
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Minister of Tourism: No significant breakthrough in tourism in the last decade
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The Minister of Tourism will host a special conference, which will be attended by all of the relevant bodies in the tourist industry, with the aim of presenting operational recommendations to improve the Israeli tourist product and to strengthen cooperation between all of the elements in the industry.
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