Published: Mon. nine Jan 2023, 06:00
Last updated: Mon. nine Jan 2023, 21: 37
More than 150,000 Israeli tourists visited the UAE in the last 10 months of 2022, and this year also looks promising in terms of tourism expansion between the UAE and Israel, as both countries hope to increase the frequency of flights.
The two Middle East opened their borders after the signing of the Abraham Agreement in September 2020, allowing people-to-people contacts between the two nations to flourish.
As of March 1, 2022, Israel has allowed all foreigners vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the country.
Pini Shani, senior vice president of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, some 1,600 Emirati nationals arrived in Israel from the UAE in the last ten months of 2022.
“As of March 2022, we lifted travel restrictions and more than 150,000 Israelis stopped in the UAE in this consistent period. Israeli tourists spend a lot because they like to spend cash traveling and exploring. UAE citizens and expats spend $180 (Dh61) per day. , excluding flights. Business travelers spend even more but stay fewer days in Israel,” Shani al Khaleej Times said in an interview after his recent stopover in the United Arab Emirates.
During a stopover in the United Arab Emirates last month, the senior vice president of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism met with tourism industry leaders and explored business opportunities by giving tour operators the opportunity to collaborate with Israel under a joint incentive or marketing agreement.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism awards 20 euros (78 dirhams) to one company for each tourist who arrives in Israel for at least 4 nights.
Shani added that Israel will offer the best situations for visitors from the UAE and GCC, adding halal restaurants, Arabic-speaking tour guides, Islamic tourist sites, and family-friendly hotels and places.
Pini Shani says 2023 will be a year for tourism after recovering from the pandemic.
“In 2022, we have already recovered with exceptional tourist arrivals from our main home countries, the United States, Germany, France and Italy. The Abraham agreement is an opportunity for the UAE and Israel to build lasting relationships and long-standing cultural ties. For the Israeli public, the UAE is a new destination, which intrigues them to fly and notice it in large numbers.
“However, UAE citizens and expats want more time to explore what Israel has to offer as a tourist destination. Therefore, the number of visitors from Israel will remain more or less the same. In addition, the number of visitors from the UAE increasing particularly in the coming years,” he added.
Currently, there is connectivity between the UAE and Israel, with 70 weekly flights operated through Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad, EL-Al and Israir.
“We hope to increase the frequency of flights to encourage tourism from the UAE and around the world, especially from Southeast Asia, Oceania, etc. ,” Sani added.
Highlighting the demanding situations hampering the tourism sector, Shani noted that there are two main obstacles to reviving tourism: the Israeli visa and the need for more wisdom and awareness about Israel.
“The Israeli visa procedure is mandatory for visitors who are not yet citizens of the UAE (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh). Issuing a visa takes time (about two weeks); Unfortunately, this is an attention for potential visitors when they opt for their next destination. We plan to hold seminars and traveling presentations for the local industry with the cooperation of Israeli industry to raise awareness about Israel as a tourist destination,” he said.
For bilateral tourism, he said they are focusing on educating the UAE’s tourism industry and highlighting what Israel brings to potential tourists. “We need to show hospitality, coexistence, varied communities, nature, local foods, culture, heritage and history. In addition, we aim to identify smart relationships with travel agencies, airlines and media,” he added.
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