Israeli Tourism Crumbles Amid Aggression on Gaza and Yemeni Aerial Blockade
Tourism sector faces over 90% decline, billions in losses as Yemen enforces air blockade and global airlines suspend flights to “Israel”
Occupied Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Israeli tourism industry is experiencing a massive recession following the start of the Aggression on Gaza in October 2023. According to data from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the sector is facing an “unprecedented crisis,” with the number of incoming tourists declining by more than 90% since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
This collapse has had devastating economic consequences. Estimates from Israeli state broadcaster Makan indicate that direct and indirect losses in the tourism sector have surpassed 12 billion shekels—equivalent to approximately 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Security Fears and Travel Warnings Drive Tourist Exodus
Israeli officials have attributed this sharp decline to an almost complete halt in international air traffic.
Multiple governments have issued travel advisories warning citizens against visiting “Israel” due to ongoing hostilities, unstable security conditions, and the risk of escalation.
These advisories, coupled with public fear and disrupted airport operations, have significantly impacted the sector’s viability.
The Israel Hotel Association confirmed that occupancy rates in tourist hotels have dropped to historic lows, with some areas recording rates as low as 10%, a steep fall from over 80% occupancy in previous years during the same season. This has led many hotels and tourism-related businesses to scale back operations or shut down entirely.
Tourism Image Damage May Outlast the War
Industry insiders and tourism officials have expressed deep concerns that the impact of the war may extend long beyond any eventual ceasefire.
The perception of “Israel” as an unsafe destination has taken a critical blow, and rebuilding global confidence in the country’s tourism potential is expected to take significant time and investment.
Several tourism experts believe that overcoming the reputational damage will require a sustained international promotional campaign to re-establish “Israel” as a viable and safe location for international travel.
Yemen Declares Aerial Blockade on “Israel”
The collapse of Israeli tourism has been further exacerbated by escalating regional dynamics—chief among them, Yemen’s declaration of an aerial blockade on “Israel.”
On May 4, the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) issued an official statement announcing a full air blockade in response to Israeli aggression on Gaza, urging all international airlines to avoid Israeli airspace for the safety of their passengers and aircraft.
The statement marked a significant escalation in Yemeni support for Palestine and was followed by a series of targeted missile attacks on key Israeli airports, including the highly sensitive Ben Gurion International Airport.
International Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Missile Threats
In the wake of Yemen’s aerial blockade and attacks, a growing number of international airlines have suspended flights to “Israel.”
Air Canada recently announced the extension of its flight suspension to September 8, a delay from its earlier expected resumption on June 8.
Several other major carriers—including Polish airline LOT, Germany’s Lufthansa, France’s Air France, Italy’s ITA, American carriers Delta and United, and British Airways—have likewise extended or maintained suspensions of their routes to Tel Aviv, citing escalating security concerns.
On May 8, the YAF released footage pinpointing three major Israeli airports, labeling them “unsafe,” and vowed continued retaliation after Israel’s military escalated attacks on Sanaa.
That same day, a Yemen-launched hypersonic ballistic missile struck near Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport, resulting in visible smoke, injury reports, disruption of train services, and grounding of air traffic, according to Israeli media and Magen David Adom emergency services.
Just days later, on May 13, Yemen launched another missile at Ben Gurion Airport, prompting mass panic, the halting of flights, and the evacuation of civilians to bomb shelters, further reinforcing the aerial siege.
As the war on Gaza continues, the compounded effects of military conflict, international condemnation, and Yemeni military escalation are turning what was once a thriving Israeli tourism industry into one of its most severely impacted economic casualties. (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen