Israel's Tourism
Why isn't Israel a tourist mecca?
The year 2009 will likely end with a grand total of roughly 2.5 million tourist entries into Israel - a figure that, to the dismay of hotel owners and members of the tourism industry, is very similar to those recorded every year in the past decade. In other words, tourism to Israel has reached a plateau.
A few months ago, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attempting to assemble a coalition, Israel's Hotel Association (IHA) delivered a presentation that opened with the plea, "Mr. Prime Minister, there is a hidden treasure in Israel. This is a resource that is far from being developed, of value and potential, a resource that can increase growth and employment – tourism!"
But Netanyahu's term has not improved tourism, despite an increase in advertising budgets abroad and Israel's large number of religious, archaeological and natural,tourist attractions.
One reason for this is that tourists generally seek peaceful locales. Hence, wars and terror attacks keep tourists wondering whether Israel will be safe at the time of their planned vacation, and many forego the visit.
Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics illustrate the damage done by regional instability to the tourism industry in Israel. In 1999 more than 2.5 million tourists visited Israel from abroad, and in the first nine months of 2000 there were 2.6 million entries.
However, in October of 2000, upon the breakout of the second Intifada and local Arab riots, tourism in Israel came to a total halt. In 2001, the number of entries was a paltry 1.2 million. As the instability spilled over into 2002, the number of entries slid further, and just 882,000 people visited Israel that year.
Ami Etgar, CEO of the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association (IITOA), says that while security issues pose a serious obstacle for the tourism industry, other factors also make it difficult for large groups to visit Israel.
"In Israel there are almost no international hotel chains because entrepreneurs from abroad don't like to invest in (the country)," he says. Etgar says that a few peaceful years must go by in order to attract investors. "But mostly (entrepreneurs) need help in removing bureaucratic barriers," he says.
Another obstacle for incoming tourism is the Interior Ministry, Etgar says. "A few weeks ago a group of 15 businessmen was supposed to arrive here from Turkey," he recounts. "Their travel agent wanted to secure them visas for Israel, but the Interior Ministry demanded a NIS 50,000 ($13,200) deposit.
Other financial aspect also poses problems for large groups – namely the relatively high prices charged by hotels. Because many groups also tour Jordan and Egypt during their visit, they prefer to spend the night in these countries, where hospitality comes cheaper.
"In 1987 1.5 million tourists came to Israel, and 8.3 million hotel stays were recorded," Etgar says. "In 2009 there will be maybe 2.5 million tourists arriving, but the number of hotel stays won't surpass 8 million. This says a lot."
Comments
My wife and I visited Israel and Jordan this year and we are anxiously planning a return visit with a group of friends and family. We did not find anyone to be rude or mean-spirited at all; as a matter of fact most people we spoke to (Israelis, Jews, Palestinians, Christians, Jordanians) were interested in hearing of our perception on the various groups; most of them have way differing opinions from that of their respective governments, although few seem to want to speak openly about it. On entering/leaving the countries we encountered nothing different than at most border crossings (although we would not cross Allenby again but would either fly or cross at Elat/Aqaba; very tense on both sides and not a very attractive entrance to either country). We DID notice the Palestinian territories to be very poor and although well-received by Christians, we were ignored by other groups ... nothing positive or negative, just indifference (or begging). If you are receptive, flexible, open and genuinely interested in people and in taking in the geography and culture, both Israel and Jordan are great destinations.
Go to Palestine. The people are lovely, food fantastic and there is none of the racist hostility that is such an every day thing in Israel. Bethlehem is beautiful, Ramallah very friendly and if you enter and leave through Jordan, you need not be scared of the awful, intimidating and degrading treatment meted out by immigration officials and the secret service at Ben Gurion. Jerusalem is the most hate filled city in the world - and if it is because of "security" that they are like this, why do they oppress Palestinian Christians so much, when there has never been a Christian suicide bomber??
I went several years ago and was amazed by just how rude most of the officials were. While walking around Jerusalem, I became disorentated (lost) and approached a policeman with my map and ask if he could tell me where I was. His words were "get out of my face", he then turned and walked away. I was stunned that a cop would do that. During my 30 day stay in Jerusalem, I felt that the officials I delt with hated tourist. The harassment and hate that I saw displaded towards Muslems or Palistanians made me glad I didn't have to live there.
I did find the everyday type people and shop owners to be super nice but the experiences I had with Police, Fire and EMS made me decide not to go back.
I am an EMT/Firefighter who was a police officer for 24 years and am working on my 2nd career. I enjoy traveling and meeting people but never have I seen any group of people so caught up in their own self importance and displaying such a hatred of others. It was bad enough that I documented several of the worse instances in a letter to the head of the tourism agency and to the mayor of the city of Jerusalem. I never received an acknowledgement but that was not totally unexpected.
I am not for or against the Palestines or the Isralies. I am for treating everyone like humans with respect until they prove they don't diserve it. Palestineans have the right to live in their country as do the Jews.
Israel did it to themselves. I'll stay away.
For the same reason I didn't visit South Africa during the apartheid era, Israel won't get my custom until it withdraws from the occupied Palestine and Sysrian territories to the 1967 borders and helps establish a separate Palestine state.
A lot of statistics in this article, but little insight.
Although revered in the US, Israel is considered "the most dangerous country to world security" to Europeans. In any case, most of the Americans who visit are Jews and conservative Christians.
The archaelogical sites are mostly in Palestine, which Israeli soldiers will prevent you from visiting. A day trip to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, for example, just 10 miles in distance, can and most likely will take you all day.
Israel's beaches, bars and restaurants are unfriendly to non-Jews. Customs, police and Immigration are downright nasty. In fact, the place is a nightmare.
Better to support the boycott and wait til you can visit Palestine freely.
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