'Israel' tourism losses top $3.4 billion since Oct 7

'Israel's' tourism industry has experienced an unprecedented collapse, with losses surpassing USD3.4 billion since the genocide on Gaza bagan on October 7, 2023, according to official 'Israeli' data released on Wednesday.

The 'Israeli' Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the sector is facing a crisis of historic proportions, with a decline of more than 90 percent in the number of incoming tourists since the genocide began.

The 'Israeli' Ministry of Tourism's data reveals that direct and indirect losses in the sector have exceeded 12 billion shekels (USD3.4 billion) to date. The broadcaster highlighted the "unprecedented collapse" of the 'Israeli' tourism sector since October 7, describing the incurred losses as "devastating."

Officials attribute this sharp decline to a near-complete halt in international air travel, travel warnings issued by dozens of countries, the prevailing security uncertainty and instability on the domestic front, and the continued targeting of Ben Gurion Airport by Yemen’s Houthis, which has further disrupted air traffic and raised safety concerns among travelers.

The 'Israeli' Hotel Association noted that occupancy rates in tourist hotels have plummeted to historic lows, not exceeding 10 percent in some regions, compared to rates that surpassed 80 percent during similar seasons in previous years.

A significant number of hotels and tourism facilities have been forced to reduce their operations or temporarily close their doors, the association added. Concerns have been raised within the tourism sector that the crisis may persist long after military operations cease, given the damage to 'Israel's' image as a safe tourist destination.