Israel tourism adapting amid escalating tensions
While the Hamas-Israel conflict is impacting tourism, Israel remains open for business to overseas visitors and tourist attractions and historic sites are functioning at near normal levels, according to Israeli Consul for Tourism Eliezer Hod.
Speaking to Travel Mole, Hod said there are currently around 50,000 tourists in Israel enjoying local hospitality, museums and religious sites as normal.
"We advise every tourist intending to visit Israel to continue planning for this life changing experience," said Hod, who is based in Los Angeles and in charge of marketing Israeli tourism in the United States Western Region.
"The current situation, while unfortunate, has been effecting the daily life routine more than being injurious, and it is more directed at Israelis than tourists and tourist sites."
"While a number of tour operators and group organizers have experienced postponements of planned trips, many advise that groups and individuals wait and see if cancellation is necessary."
Hod said tourism providers in the country are able to quickly adjust tourism schedules to maintain the safety and comfort of travellers should the situation change on the ground.
"Israeli tourist guides are extremely professional and they will know exactly how to adapt a tour’s path in case of events preventing scheduled travel to a site," he said.
"Once in Israel we suggest tourists enjoy their trip and follow any requests of the guides or the Israeli police."
"Palestinians themselves in Bethlehem and Jericho, make their living from tourist visits and the vast majority of these business people join with other Israelis in wishing and praying for peace and calm."
Hod added that the Israeli Arab communities of Jerusalem, Nazareth, Canna, and Akko are still welcoming tourists and Jewish visitors from Europe are still visiting beaches in Tel-Aviv, Netanya, Herzilya and Haifa.
Hod also recently said there could be an unexpected boon for travellers planning trips in the coming months.
To spur tourism, prices for travel products and services probably will drop when calm is restored, he said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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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