The Conflict in The Middle East: Expert Opinion

[IMG=20533-6265] The progressing conflict in the Middle East affected the tourism life in Lebanon, while travel companies that specialize in the Israeli market forecast a successful season. Meanwhile, drop in demand for Israel in the Russian market is evident. Thus, Irina Denina, from Solvex Travel said in the interview to a BANKO correspondent: ‘sales of tours to Israel have dropped by 50%. People phone us to learn some information about tours to the country but do not book tours’. Furthermore, Ekaterina Bobrova, the Head of the Israeli Department of Russian Express, agreed: ‘the demand has reduced by 25%. At the moment our clients plan their trips for October and November hoping the situation will normalize’. Alexander Baras, Director of E – Tiquette, said: ‘From the point of view of travel industry it is good that the conflict in the Middle East happened before the season start. Therefore, we do not need to change programs. In July and August there are few excursion tours to the North of the country owing hot weather. Yes, people go to Israel, but mainly on business, upon individual invitations or to balneological resorts on the Dead Sea’. Oleg Dragunsky, General Director of Socium – tour, shared with the optimistic opinion of Russian market representatives: ‘at the moment the demand is low, but those who booked tours for September and October do not rush to cancel them. There were several cancellations for the end of July and the beginning of August but they were expected. Anyway, the North of Israel is not in high demand among Russian people. By the way, the low season for Russians is a high season for Israeli tourists’. Travel market players agreed that the current situation is not a crisis. However, they point out that if the war continues for two – three weeks more, this might affect the demand for Israel in the coming season.