Zionist occupation’s tourism sector suffers losses exceeding 3 billion dollars

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, May 14 (YPA) – Data from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism showed that the sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, with a more than 90% decline in the number of incoming tourists since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023.

According to the Israeli Makan Channel, estimates indicate that direct and indirect losses to the tourism sector in Israel have exceeded 12 billion shekels (approximately 3.5 billion US dollars) so far.

Officials attribute this sharp decline to the near-total halt in international air traffic, travel warnings issued by dozens of countries, as well as security uncertainty and instability on Israel’s home front.

The Israel Hotel Association confirmed that occupancy rates in tourist hotels have fallen to historic levels, not exceeding 10% in some areas, compared to rates exceeding 80% in similar seasons in previous years.

The association reported that a large number of hotels and tourist facilities were forced to reduce their activity or temporarily close their doors.

Entities in the Israeli tourism sector expressed concern that the crisis will extend for a long time, even after the end of the war, in light of the damage to Israel’s image as a “safe tourist destination.”

These parties indicated that rebuilding trust with the international market may take a long time and double the propaganda effort.