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With the Shavuot festival approaching tour operators in the north are reporting especially high occupancy in hotels and holiday villages in the Galilee and Golan regions.  According to the chairman of the Upper Galilee tourism industry forum, the reason for the high demand is because prices have been kept low during the holiday period as a result of the economic recession.

Ten days before Shavuot, hotels and the leading holiday villages in the Galilee and the Golan reported occupancy levels of 95 percent.  Both Nofei Gonen Holiday Village and Emek Habokrim Ranch have already reported 100 percent occupancy for the Shavuot holiday as have the Mitzpe Hayamim Health Farm and the Beit Shalom Estate boutique hotel in Metulla.

Chairman of the Upper Galilee tourism industry forum, Meir Levi explained that tour operators in the area are conscious of the effect of the recession on the pockets of Israeli tourist and have acted accordingly. He added that his members had not increased their prices since last year and had encouraged last minute bargains.

Levi promised that because of the preference for Israelis to spend the festival period in Israel, domestic tour operators would continue to invest in domestic tourism and would not increase the price of accommodation.  

The holiday villages will be offering family activities for the Shavuot holiday, including special meals and entertainment shows.  The Nofei Gonen Holiday Village is offering a nature trek with a picnic.  The Pastoral Hotel at Kfar Blum a special meal and musical show, while the Emek Habokrim Ranch will offer activities such as rodeos and horse riding for children.