All the news about Israeli tourism

Ronen Karaso, vice president of marketing for Issta: “During the first half of the year there was a 12 percent fall in outbound passenger traffic, however this slowed right down in July and in August showed an increase of 7 percent in passenger traffic.  The highest prices will be during the Succoth holiday period.”

The ISSTA travel company estimates that during the upcoming high holyday period, about 300,000 Israelis will travel overseas; this is similar to the number that travelled overseas during the same period in 2008.  According to Ronen Karaso, following the surprising increase in outgoing traffic during August, it is estimated that the positive momentum will continue during the high holyday period.

According to the data from the Israel Airports Authority, during the first three weeks of August approximately 971,000 passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport on international flights.  Domestic tourism also showed a significant recovery in August, with an increase of 34 percent in passenger traffic during the first three weeks of the month.

“The main reason for this change is the perception that an economic recovery is starting to take place with an end to the worldwide economic crisis,” explained Karaso. “At the start of the year there was great pessimism which affected outgoing traffic, but the atmosphere has since changed and this has been reflected in the passenger figures during this month.”

At ISSTA they are highlighting the advantage of taking a holiday in the early part of the holyday period, with pleasant weather conditions, especially in and around the Mediterranean basin. “Fares to Europe and the price of holiday packages are cheaper by some 20 percent compared to the same time last year”, added Karaso.

“The highest prices are for the entire period of the Succoth holiday, so for those looking for the best prices they should travel either between the holydays or at Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.”