Tour Operators on Gaza Violence: 'Take A Deep Breath And Wait'

PHOTO: Most of Israel is calm as violence rages in Gaza. (photo of Jerusalem by David Cogswell)

As a short lull in violence gave way to more violence in Israel and Gaza, American tour operators who offer Middle Eastern tours watched apprehensively, gauging their policies to what they were observing.

“Every day we get calls and inquiries about future travel to Israel, safety being the first question,” said Ronen Paldi, president of Ya'lla Tours USA. “We suggest everyone take a deep breath and a wait, as we all pray and hope that this situation will soon be over and Israel will be back to normality. We remind everyone that, unfortunately, Israel is accustomed to ‘interruptions’ in tourism, and the resumption of traffic has always been fast and strong.”

Tom Armstrong, corporate communications manager for Tauck, told TravelPulse that the company is “taking a wait-and-see approach while monitoring events in the region closely.” Tauck’s next departure of its Israel and Jordan itinerary is scheduled to depart in September.

Abercrombie & Kent is monitoring the situation on the ground. Rami Girgis, product manager of the Middle East for Abercrombie & Kent USA, told TravelPulse, “We have had a few calls from guests with concerns who are scheduled to travel to Israel next month. We have offered them the choice to postpone travel without penalty or choose another destination, but most are continuing with their original travel plans. We are reassuring guests with plans to travel that businesses in Israel — including shops, restaurants, transportation and all public services — are open and functioning normally. Most U.S. airlines have resumed service to Israel’s main International Airport, Ben Gurion.”

Globus canceled August departures of its Israel programs, posting the following on its Facebook page:

Rita Zawaideh, head of Caravan-Serai of Seattle, said the company has been calling clients who are booked for Middle Eastern tours, informing them of travel advisories and telling them “it is not the right time to go.”

“A lot of our clients are Palestinian American,” said Zawaideh, “so they are definitely feeling the tensions and they have family in the region and might also have family in Gaza – they know that they will have extra security checks coming into Tel Aviv airport and also when crossing the Allenby Bridge.  They would not have the comfort that they need on a vacation.” 

Caravan-Serai is giving people the option to cancel with no penalty and reschedule at any time over the next year.

“We have put everything on hold,” said Zawaideh, “and we have even told people who are going in late August to wait since the situation is changing on a daily basis.”

Alexander and Roberts (formerly General Tours) is reporting some cancellations of its trips to Israel, “but no mass exodus,” according to Robert Drumm, president.

“Incoming business is lighter than usual,” said Drumm. “The temporary closing of the airport, I believe, had an oversized psychological impact. That, plus the air issue with MH17, does dampen the immediate interest in international travel anywhere for some people …regardless of the immediate circumstances in Israel now.”

The rebound in the Middle East is usually quick after the end of hostilities, said Drumm.

“The pull of the Holy Land is strong,” said Drumm. “A Travel Warning has been in place for quite a long while, but it’s not the deterrent in Israel that it is in some places.”

Max Aly, director of group operations for SITA World Tours, said, “We have had just one cancellation — a couple who were due to travel next week. Other than that most of our bookings are in the fall, starting in late September and although we have had a few clients who have been apprehensive, they have not canceled. Hopefully the situation will soon improve and things will return to ‘normal’ in that part of the world.”

Richard Krieger, president of IsramWorld, told TravelPulse, “Even with such a sensitive and fluid situation as we currently face in the Middle East, travel professionals continue to call with inquiries regarding future bookings. Although we have had some cancellations, the amount is negligible when compared to the large number of tourists we send to Israel. Our team continues to monitor every development and as always, we will act with the safety or our passengers as concern number one.”