Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Tourism in 'Israel' collapsing amid ongoing wars

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 26 Nov 2024 00:16
4 Min Read

The Israeli occupation's tourism sector has taken a severe hit amid the ongoing wars on Gaza and Lebanon, jeopardizing a vital economic inlet for the occupation.

Listen
  • x
  • Travelers line up for check at Fly Dubai airline counter at Ben Gurion International Airport in al-Lydd, occupied Palestine, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP)
    Travelers line up for check at the Fly Dubai airline counter at Ben Gurion International Airport in al-Lydd, occupied Palestine, Sunday, November 10, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli occupation's tourism industry is facing a sharp decline amid the ongoing war on Gaza, with hotel stays plummeting and many establishments shutting down.

According to a report released by the Israeli Hotel Association on Sunday, hotel bookings fell by 29% in October compared to the same month last year, marking a significant blow to the sector.

Tourism activity in "Israel" has dropped by 20%, with international tourist stays nearly vanishing. Only 120,000 overnight stays by international visitors were recorded in October, representing a 63% decrease from October 2023 and a staggering 86% drop compared to October 2022.

The overall impact in 2024 has been severe, with only 1.6 million tourist stays recorded so far, a steep decline from the 7.5 million stays in 2023. Total hotel stays in October reached 1.58 million, down 29% from the previous year, despite coinciding with Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot, which typically boost travel.

Sivan Detooker, director-general of the Israeli Hotel Association, stated, "Since the beginning of the war, around 90 hotels have closed, nearly 20% of all hotel services, and the situation continues to deteriorate."

Even with major Jewish holidays in October, traditionally a peak period for tourism, the sector generated only 1.58 million shekels (approximately $0.4 million), far below expectations. Demand among settlers for hotels also fell by 29% compared to October 2023.

Devastating effects of war

The war's effects have been particularly acute in northern occupied Palestine, where the war has drastically reduced local travel. Cities like Haifa, Tabarayya, and al-Nasirah reported occupancy declines of 51%, 45%, and 80%, respectively.

Related News

Israeli court blocks government attempt to fire Attorney General

Trump ties US states' disaster funding to support for Israeli firms

The average hotel occupancy rate in October was 51%, a 63% decrease from last year and the lowest monthly rate recorded in 2024.

As the war rages on, "Israel's" economy is sinking. Earlier last month, passenger traffic at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport dropped by 43% during the first nine months of 2024 due to the escalations and war on Gaza and the northern front after October 7, which led many airlines to scale back or withdraw flights.

According to the airport authority, the airport served 10.85 million international passengers from January to September, a decrease from 19.01 million in 2023.

Deteriorating economy 

S&P's newest assessment on "Israel", issued earlier in November, states that the war on Gaza and Lebanon is anticipated to continue into 2025, delaying the occupation's economic recovery until 2026, Globes reported.

The international ratings agency lowered "Israel's" rating to A- last month with a negative outlook and predicts the occupation will have 0% growth in 2024, resulting in a GDP per capita decrease. 

Only in 2025 will the Israeli economy begin to recover, with a moderate 2.2% increase.

According to S&P, the budget deficit would reach 9% of GDP by the end of 2024 and stay high at 5%-6% of GDP until 2027. These values are significantly higher than those expected by the Ministry of Finance, which might be attributed to differences in computation methodologies. Net government debt is predicted to reach 70% of GDP by 2027, an increase of 12% from 2023.

The agency predicts that the current account surplus will average 3.3% of GDP between 2024 and 2027.

The primary risk identified by S&P is a potential additional escalation in the north between the occupation forces and the Lebanese Resistance - Hezbollah, as well as a possible direct war with Iran.

Along with defense issues, the industry reports worsening relations with major partners. "The grave humanitarian situation and the increase in the number of civilians being hurt in Gaza, and increasingly also in Lebanon, have led to a number of public disputes between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and main allies including the US and UK."

 
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
  • Lebanon
  • Hezbollah
  • Islamic resistance in Lebanon

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS