Israel to aid tourism industry hit hard by Gaza crisis
Israel’s tourism ministry is giving the local tourism industry a helping hand following a war-ravaged summer.
Tourism ministry director-general Amir Halevi has announced an aid package for tour operators, hotels and other tourism companies aimed at getting the industry back on its feet.
"As a result of Operation Protective Edge and its impact on the tourism industry, the tourism ministry intends to take a number of immediate steps," Halevi wrote in a letter addressed to tourism providers.
"It is our intention to act immediately on an internal decision that does not require the approval of the Finance Ministry, within the existing frameworks."
The package includes doubling of the tourism marketing budget until the end of the year, and funds will also be made available for businesses to offer discount rates and special packages to boost visitor numbers.
The government is also subsidizing trips abroad for tour companies and hotel marketing professionals to attend trade shows to promote inbound tourism.
These new measures are in addition to pending compensation claims by individual tourism businesses which are currently being reviewed by the government.
Halevi hopes it "leads to a recovery in the numbers of incoming tourists after Operation Protective Edge and a swift return to record tourism numbers."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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