Jerusalem – The tourism industry in Jerusalem has taken a hit financially in light of recent terrorist attacks.
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Globes (http://bit.ly/1xHsX6E) reports the extensive press coverage of the synagogue slaughter at Har Nof on Nov. 18 and warnings about traveling to Jerusalem, combined with the fact that nine Israelis have been murdered in Jerusalem by being run over or stabbed during the past month, has made those in the city’s tourist industry uneasy.
“The escalating security situation in the city has dealt another blow to tourism, already hit hard by Operation Protective Edge,” said Alfred Akirov, owner of Alrov (Israel) Ltd.’s David Citadel and Mamilla Hotels in Jerusalem. Since Operation Protective Edge began in July, occupancy rates at the two hotels are at 35-40 percent capacity, compared with the usual 65-70 percent rates during this season, said Akirov.
Despite the violence, the Jerusalem municipality, the Jerusalem Development Authority and tourism sources in the city are pushing tourism hard to Israelis and foreign tourists. Marketing is heavy for the 10th annual Hamshusalayim festival of weekend cultural events in the city in December, and are offering weekend tours in December, discounts at restaurants and cultural institutions, and a 50 percent discount on a second night or a free evening meal at hotels in the city.
Entry fees to about half of the city’s events are free of charge, or at a nominal cost. To make attendees feel safe, organizers stress that events are being held in closed spaces such as halls, theaters, museums and other guarded buildings.
But not everyone sees the tourism industry as a downward spiral. “As someone who has traveled around Jerusalem quite a bit and has seen the traffic in the city in recent days – in the streets, businesses, active restaurants, and even yesterday, in the Jerusalem Hapayis Arena, which was filled with fans watching the Eurocup basketball game between Hapoel Jerusalem and Turkish club Banvit – I’m convinced that there’s no reason not to come to Jerusalem now. Now is a good time to take a vacation in Jerusalem and enjoy the wonderful things it has to offer,” said Israel Hotel Association President Eli Gonen.
Information taken from Globes
if Israel wants tourism they have to provide securty to tourists, and learn to treat them with respect. Don’t treat American tourists as potential criminals or they won’t come, Jewish or not.
Israel is the safest place on the planet! “eretz asher einei Hashem Elokecha ba…” Even Bloomberg contested to that earlier this year, there is absolutely no reason to refrain from visiting. Everything that occurs there is on a higher level of “Hashgacha Protis” then the diaspora.