Israel tourism crisis: war has more devastating impact than pandemic

15-04-24

Israel is facing a severe tourism crisis despite the resumption of international flights, with figures reflecting a grim outlook for the sector. In February of this year, the country received just 68,100 tourists, a negligible figure compared to the 319,100 visitors it recorded in the same month last year. This drastic reduction occurs despite the recovery of air traffic and suggests that the effects of the current war have eclipsed the consequences of the pandemic on the tourism sector.

In March, the situation showed no signs of improvement, with fewer than 80,000 visitors entering the country, representing a drop of close to eighty percent compared to previous figures. This decline has devastating consequences for the many businesses that depend on the flow of tourists, from hotels and restaurants to souvenir stores and local transportation services.

Despite the fact that in February and March major international airlines, with the exception of some such as Ryanair, a major provider of low-cost flights, resumed operations to Israel, the response from travelers has been lukewarm. Local airlines, El Al, Arkia and Israir, have maintained uninterrupted operations throughout this tumultuous period, although they face a significant decrease in demand.

In addition, the domestic situation in Israel also reflects a change in the travel patterns of residents. Comparing the numbers of travelers leaving the country in the first months of last year with this year's figures shows a dramatic drop: 1,040,600 people traveled abroad in 2024, down from 1,919,300 last year, indicating that about half of the Israelis who traveled in 2023 have opted to stay home this year.

The hotel sector, in particular, is feeling the brunt of this prolonged crisis. Hoteliers, who were already suffering from low occupancies during the pandemic, are now facing an even more daunting scenario due to the war conflict. This situation threatens the long-term viability of many businesses and threatens to permanently alter the country's tourism landscape.

This adverse context poses a significant challenge for tourism authorities and entrepreneurs in Israel, who must find strategies to mitigate the impact of the war on a sector that has already suffered from years of difficulties. The recovery of tourism in Israel will require not only a stabilization of the security environment, but also concerted efforts to restore the confidence of international travelers and promote Israel's image as a safe and welcoming destination.