NEW YORK -- Even though current disturbances are likely to slow
travel volume to the Holy Land, Israel is not suspending its
marketing activity, according to Yehuda Shen, that country's
Ministry of Tourism deputy tourism commissioner, North America.
"This should be a peak season" for tourism, he said, "and there
are 150,000 visitors from all over the world there right now who
are continuing their regular programs" even during the armed and
bloody confrontations between Israelis and Palestinians that
started almost two weeks ago.
When the two sides get back to talking, Shen said, he expects
"bookings to resume fast and heavy."
Despite the unrest, tour operators said that few clients
celebrating the Jewish holy days in Israel last week opted to come
home.
On the other hand, Sandi Goldschmidt, a travel consultant with
the Travel Group in Englewood Cliff, N.J., said she had about 30%
cancellations among 60 clients booked for Israel this month.
Another sign of the times: El Al, Israel's airline, will refund
nonrefundable tickets through Nov. 1.