Following the damage caused by Operation Protective Edge, the hoteliers are reporting high occupancy rates for Rosh Hashanah at hotels in Israel.
According to Israel Hotel Association figures, 100% occupancy is expected during Rosh Hashanah at hotels in Eilat, the Dead Sea, and Haifa, with lower rates in Jerusalem (90%), Netanya (85%), and Herzliya (70%). At Tel Aviv hotels which have always relied more on incoming tourism than internal tourism during the holidays, only 60% occupancy is expected during Rosh Hashanah.
The Hotel Association said that high occupancy rates were also expected during Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles), with over 90% occupancy at hotels in Eilat and the Dead Sea, over 80% in Haifa, 70-80% in Jerusalem, and 50% in Tel Aviv Herzliya, and Netanya. "High occupancy rates are relieving the crisis mood in tourism, but they are temporary, and from this standpoint are mere window dressing. Immediately after the holidays, hotels in most areas on Israel are expected to be left with very low occupancy rates," said Hotel Association CEO Eli Gonen.
He added, "Hotels have traditionally relied on incoming tourism in the fall and winter. This year, during Operation Protective Edge cancellations for the coming months were received, and unfortunately, the current rate of new reservations is slow.
Furthermore, the travel warnings issued by the US government for Israel are not helping to restoring the flow of incoming tourism. Only a large scale global marketing campaign by the state can reduce the dimensions of the crisis.
"Right now, our big challenge is managing to retain our employees and avoid layoffs as much as possible during the period following the holidays, during which the hotels will have to adjust their expenses to their income."
1.4 million passengers will pass through Ben Gurion Airport
The Israel Airports Authority reported that 1.4 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport during the High Holy Days.
56,000 passengers are expected to leave today, and 370,000 to arrive. Following the holiday, on Sunday, September 28, 70% passengers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport.
The leading destinations of outgoing passengers this year are Greece, Turkey (as a stop on the way to other destinations), Italy, the US, Germany, Russia, and France.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 22, 2014
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