1/9/2024–|Last updated: 1/9/202409:17 PM (Mecca time)
The Jerusalem Post newspaper expected that the Israeli tourism sector will continue its setback in 2024, amid great doubts and obstacles that will be imposed by the post-war period.
Tourism in Israel was witnessing an exceptional season in 2023, with significant growth rates and greater recovery, but the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation launched by the Palestinian resistance, led by the Al-Qassam Brigades, against the Israeli occupation on the seventh of last October, and the subsequent Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. It had a traumatic impact on Israeli tourism for the remainder of last year and the current year.
The tourism sector in Israel witnessed exceptional growth and performance throughout 2023, as the country received approximately 3.01 million tourists, pumping $4.85 billion into the Israeli economy.
Despite the outbreak of war in October, the period leading up to the outbreak of the war witnessed a significant increase of 10% in tourism from the United States, strengthening its position as the largest tourism source country to Israel.
The newspaper quoted statements by Tourism Minister Haim Katz in which he expressed his confidence in the future of the sector, noting that “the period from January 2023 until the outbreak of the war witnessed a record rise in tourism coming from the United States, which consolidates its position as a major source of tourism in Israel.” Katz stressed continued efforts to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to ensure a rapid and effective response to the post-war era, with the aim of revitalizing the economy and contributing to the country’s recovery and growth.
Despite these achievements, tourism in Israel came to a bitter end in 2023, as last December alone recorded the arrival of 52,000 tourists, which raises the annual total to more than 3 million tourist arrivals in 2023, although it indicates an increase. At 12.5% from the previous year, it also represents a significant decline of 34% compared to 2019, a year that witnessed record numbers in inbound tourism.
Expectations were high for 2023, with hints that about 3.9 million tourists would arrive in Israel, close to the record numbers recorded in 2019. However, according to the newspaper, external factors such as the Israeli war on Gaza, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and restrictions on tourism coming from China led to a decline in the arrival of visitors from those countries.
The Jerusalem Post quoted an inbound tourism survey conducted by the Ministry of Tourism, which showed important shifts and trends, as 30% of tourists chose organized trips, while 70% chose to travel independently. The study highlighted a shift in the purposes of visiting, with 36% coming for tourist and viewing tours, 20% for religious purposes, and 30% as part of organized tours.
Estimated revenues from inbound tourism for 2023 were about $4.85 billion, up from $4.29 billion in 2022. The average tourist spending, excluding flight costs, was about 6,000 shekels ($1,607), with an average stay of 8.3 nights.
Post-war prospects
As 2023 passes, Israel’s tourism sector faces a future fraught with challenges and uncertainties in the wake of the war. In an interview with the newspaper, Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours in Jerusalem, shed light on the current situation of the sector, warning against excessive optimism until the war ends and foreign airlines resume their flights to Israel.
“While we appreciate the optimism and confidence in the industry, the reality remains harsh until foreign airlines resume operations with Israel after the war,” Feldman said, stressing the lack of interest from groups or individuals in visiting Israel and the lack of activity at Ben Gurion Airport. The situation is exacerbated by the absence of cruise lines.
In his interview with the newspaper, Feldman also pointed to the immediate challenges facing the sector, with hotels currently hosting displaced people from the north of the country, without a clear timetable for their return to their homes. Even when vacancies become available, hotels anticipate a period of upgrading their facilities to meet the needs of tourists.
While the structure of tourism is not the main obstacle, Feldman stressed the need to provide reasonable expectations. “After the war, we will see a gradual increase in the number of tourists, but the recovery will be slow,” he said, warning of the need for a process of recovery and a gradual reset of the tourism structure.