All the news about Israeli tourism

Since the beginning of 2009 there has been a sharp fall in the number of group arrivals reaching Israel.  This is based on data released by the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association (IITOA).  Between January and May a total of 282,000 tourists arrived as part of groups, this compared with 385,000 in the same period last year.

Based on data soon to be released by the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association; since the start of the year a 28 percent fall in the number of group arrivals to Israel was registered.  During May this figure plunged further, with a decrease of 33 percent on the previous year.  Tour organizers expressed their concerns because the number of groups in May totaled 2,200 compared to 3,300 in May 2008.  May is usually regarded as the busiest month for group arrivals.

The report also showed that the total number of tourists arriving in groups during May totaled only 66,000; this is down on the 100,000 recorded in May 2008.

The heads of the Incoming Tour Operators Association reported their concerns at the data saying that poor figures were caused as a result of the world economic crisis and the military operation in Gaza.  They further commented that the government which should be encouraging incoming tourism to Israel made statements and did little else.

In the report, the Incoming Tour Operators commented that the proposals to impose VAT on tourist packages to Israel would increase prices by some 18 percent. They claimed that this was no way to encourage entrepreneurs to develop the tourist infrastructure, claiming that the Treasury’s proposals will lead to the total destruction of tourism to Israel."

Chairman of the IITOA Shmuel Marom and general manager, Ami Etgar asked Shraga Brosh, president of the Industrialists Association and Ofer Eyni, chairman of the Histadrut labor federation to join them in the fight against the Treasury’s proposals.