Research: Israeli Outgoing tourism to fall in 2009

According to a survey carried out this week by the Geocartography Knowledge Group, 66% of respondents replied that they intended to take a holiday in the coming year, compared to 63% who were asked the same question last year. Two thirds of those questioned said that they planned to take an overseas holiday with their preferred destination one of the major cities in Europe, while another 39% were planning a holiday in America during 2009.

The telephone survey of 500 men and women, representing a cross section of the Jewish adult population in Israel, found that a fifth of the public (20%) said that they planned to take an overseas holiday in the current year, compared to a quarter (24%) last year, a reduction of 4%. Meanwhile 27% said that they planned to take a holiday in Israel compared to just under 20% last year, an increase of 9%.

Of those planning to travel abroad, 64% said that they hoped to travel to Europe, around 39% to America, 19% to Greece, Cyprus and the Greek Islands, 17% to the Far East, about 16% to Turkey and 5% to Sinai.
According to Eyal Shmueli, the published and chief editor of Israel Travel News and founder of the IMTM; Israelis are beginning to understand that to go on holiday is a legitimate expense and not a luxury as was once thought. In spite and maybe because of the last few months, more and more Israelis have decided to take a holiday in order to rest and recuperate from the pressures of everyday life

Limak-Lara