Tour ops reconsider Israel intineraries

UNREST in Israel has
caused demand for the
destination to dwindle as
tour operators think twice
about sending travellers to
the region.
The country has been in
the news as the result of
ongoing violence. Recently
the US Federal Aviation
Administration banned all US
passenger aircraft from flying
to Tel Aviv, causing a number
of other airlines to follow
suit. While the ban has been
lifted, tour operators remain
cautious about marketing
the destination.
Concerned for the safety
of its travellers, Insight
Vacations has temporarily
halted all travel to Israel.
It said in a statement: “All
impacted guests and travel
agents will be contacted
directly for rescheduling.
Guests with travel plans
to Israel through midSeptember
may also change
or cancel their land travel
plans without penalty.”
Chris van Staden,
director of Azure Travel,
says although demand for
travel to Israel has dried up
completely, the company
wouldn’t suggest travel to
the region. “We’ve removed
all our specials for the
destination and are not
promoting it at all. It’s very
sad but the situation is very
bad at the moment.”
Travel Vision is not
actively promoting Israel
either. Sales and marketing
manager, Sarah Whiteside,
says when agents request
quotes, it mentions the
current situation but will
assist nonetheless. “We
deal with requests on an ad
hoc basis and communicate
with our local operators
about each destination as
requests come in.”
Inspirations Travel and
Tours has also seen a
decrease in demand but
is still promoting the
destination.
Manager of international
destinations, Stacey
Rampersadh, says the
company has been working
with ground handlers in the
region for more than 30
years and is confident they
can ensure the safety of
travellers.
“Israel is well equipped
to protect its people,” she
adds. “Sirens go off and
people are able to descend
into bunkers. Afterwards
they come back out and
it’s as though nothing
happened.”
She says the company has
had cancellations as a result
of unrest in Israel but that
the situation remains fluid.
“The situation could ease
tomorrow or it could last for
weeks.”
Cruise operators across
the board, including Azamara
Club Cruises, Celebrity
Cruises, Royal Caribbean
International, MSC Cruises,
Silversea, Holland America,
Costa Cruises, Compagnie
Du Ponant as well as those
represented by Triton Cape
Sea Travel in the SA market,
have released statements
saying there are no changes
to current itineraries as far
as ports of call in the region
are concerned. However,
they will all be monitoring
the situation closely, should
future action be required.