In a meeting today with Minister of Tourism director general Amir Levy in his office, tourist industry leaders reported that few reservations were canceled as a result of the wave of terrorism.
Those attending the meeting included Israel Hotel Association head Noaz Bar-Nir, Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association director Yossi Fattal, Jerusalem Hotel Association chairman Yishai Barnea, and Israel Tour Guide Association chairman Benny Kfir.
According to Levy, the participants in the meeting presented encouraging figures of a return of high levels of tourist entries in September, similar to those that prevailed in 2012-2013, and asserted that the media coverage did not reflect the actual situation.
According to Central Bureau of Statistic, 225,000 tourists entered Israel in September 2015, 25% more than in September 2014, and 6% more than in September 2013.
Although no significant cancelations in tourist bookings were reported, it was decided at the meeting to take measures to prevent any possible damage to the tourist industry. These measures included overseas encouragement of tourism to Israel and promotion of hosting overseas decision makers in tourism scheduled to visit Israel (the Ministry of Tourism hosts over 2,000 journalists, celebrities, and opinion makers from countries that provide tourists to Israel). The Ministry of Tourism is also boosting a proposal by tour guides to initiate free guided walking tours for the public at key tourist sites throughout Israel in order to support tourism business and establish the policy of business as usual.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 11, 2015
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