September tourism in Israel slumps 96% against same month in 2019
In September, the number of tourists entering Israel continued to fall, with 15,100 tourist entries recorded.
Orit Farkash Hacohen
This represents a decrease of 96% on September 2019. During the period January-September, 783,000 tourist entries were recorded, 76% down on the 3.295 million tourists in the same period last year. The significant decrease reflects a cumulative loss of revenue to the economy in the period January-September of NIS12.1 billion (about $3.6 billion).
Orit Farkash Hacohen has become Israel’s Minister of Tourism.
She said: “As I begin my term as Tourism Minister, the incoming tourism statistics are very bad. One of my first steps in the position was to reach an agreement with the Health Minister on presenting an exit strategy outline for the industry.
The possibility is being examined that the outline will include ‘green islands’ that will facilitate isolating tourist cities at both their entrance and exit and create an area that allows for a healthy and economic vacation.
I have come to work, without any days of grace, we will do whatever we can to ensure a speedy, efficient and quality return within the confines of the virus that has entered our lives. In the outline, we will also emphasize the importance of opening zimmerim, because, in our opinion, it is healthier for a family to drive to a zimmer than to visit grandparents – for their health and emotional well-being.”
