All the news about Israeli tourism

Ronen Karaso, vice president of marketing for Issta Lines, estimates that during the peak summer months, July and August, there will be an 8 percent fall in the number of Israelis traveling overseas.  Karaso: “If it wasn’t for the sharp fall in holidays to Turkey, the figures would have been more positive.”

With the start of the school holidays, travel company Issta estimate that the reduction in outgoing passenger traffic will not be as bad as the pessimistic forecasts at the beginning of the year, which at that time expected a 12 percent reduction in the number of Israelis traveling overseas. “We have seen a revival in holiday reservations for July and August, mostly during the last couple of weeks” said Karaso.

According to Karaso, if it hadn't been for the sharp fall in numbers holidaying in Turkey, the leading holiday destination over recent years, the reduction would have been even smaller. Karaso, like other wholesalers, estimates that the alternative destinations to Turkey this year will be Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and Burgas. He added “There will be stronger traffic especially to Western Europe and in particular to France, England, Italy, Germany and Spain.”

Karaso also forecasts an increase of about 10 percent in the number of hotel nights taken by Israelis in Israel. “Based on the current bookings, it is clear that Israelis have decided to exchange their family holiday in Turkey with a holiday in Eilat.

The cost of a package tour this summer is cheaper by some 25 percent in dollar terms compared to the summer of 2008.  While in shekel terms the cost is only about 5 percent less.