Israelis want to go on vacation to a place where they will feel safe, won’t encounter demonstrations, and don’t have to hide Jewish symbols. The reason is the months-long war that their country is fighting in Gaza. In nearly nine months since Hamas launched an attack that killed 1.200 people, the Israeli army has killed nearly 40.000 Palestinians in Gaza.
Every summer, airlines increase the frequency of flights to popular holiday destinations for Israelis. This year, due to the war and the Iranian rocket attack, international airlines have suspended or completely halted flights to and from Israel, and it is unclear when they will return to regular schedules. However, with the summer season here, carriers flying to Israel have recognized the potential in the created vacuum and have started increasing flight frequencies or adding new routes to both previously popular destinations and some destinations less known to Israelis.
In the coming months, airlines will increase flight frequency to Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Why these destinations?
Ophir Tours Deputy President Yoni Waksman explains that the war has significantly impacted the demand for international flights.
“You can notice a decrease in the number of bookings not only for Turkey but also for countries like Ireland, France, and Spain. Israelis feel less comfortable traveling; they want to enjoy freedom without fear of encountering demonstrations or having to hide Jewish symbols. People want to go on vacation to a place where they will feel safe. That’s why destinations with higher demand are those that like us more.”
Eshet Tours Vice President Shirley Cohen Orkaby agrees that personal safety is one of the main factors for Israelis when choosing a holiday, but not the only one. According to her, the proximity of the destination and the price of flights also play a significant role in choosing a destination. She says: “Israelis like short flight times, and the price issue is also more relevant because we have a very limited supply of flights (which raises the price), significantly compared to what we used to know.”
Increased demand in Balkan countries
Cohen Orkaby says: “Balkan countries have become very strong this year. An example of this is Montenegro, which has had a ‘tourist boom’ in recent years and massive European, American, Chinese, and Israeli tourist traffic. In 2017, the country joined the NATO alliance and switched from Russian hegemony to Western hegemony, increasing tourist traffic from around the world.
Montenegro is only a two-hour flight from Israel. The capital city Podgorica is constantly growing, and according to Eshet Tours, the company has sent around 10.000 Israelis to the destination each year in the last two years. Neos and Corendon Airlines started four weekly flights to Montenegro this month, including three weekly flights to the capital and a weekly flight to the coastal city of Tivat on Wednesdays. Flights will continue until the end of October after the holidays, and return tickets start at 299 dollars.
Also in the Balkans, El Al’s Sun D’Or unit began selling a new route to Belgrade in Serbia during the summer. According to the company’s statement, “The opening of the line was enabled by signing a leasing agreement for the third aircraft with KlasJet.” The price of a return ticket starts at 295 dollars.
Israeli carrier Israir has introduced two new routes to other Balkan countries, including four weekly flights to Burgas in Bulgaria and three weekly flights to Bucharest in Romania. Ticket prices to Burgas start at 255 dollars for a return ticket, and to Bucharest at 195 dollars. Israir has also increased the number of flights on routes to Varna in Bulgaria to five weekly flights, to Ljubljana in Slovenia to three weekly flights, and to Montenegro to five weekly flights, Forbes writes.
E.Dz.
