All the news about Israeli tourism

This meeting was arranged in order to update members of the soon to be established government of Benjamin Netanyahu, with data from the tourist industry showing the downfall in the industry at all levels caused by the deep economic recession.  Among those present were Members of the Knesset Yuval Steinitz, Gideon Sa’ar as well as other members of the ‘100 Days’ group.

President of the Israel Hotels Association, Eli Gonen, presented the delegates with details of the sharp decline in inbound tourism to Israel caused by both the military operation in Gaza and the global economic crisis.  He explained that the implications of the drop in inbound tourism would have a negative effect on employment statistics and would lead to a fall in state revenue from tourism.

Gonen also advised the group that because the Ministry of Tourism had not received sufficient budgetary allowance, they were unable to prevent the fall in demand for inbound tourism to Israel.  He emphasized the need for an immediate and comprehensive marketing campaign, tailored to suit the situation in the country in order to stop the downward trend.

Earlier the ‘100 Days’ group had met with the heads of the three Israeli airlines, who complained about delays in providing increased financing required to raise Israel’s safety grading back to the top level after it was downgraded to category 2 by the FAA.