Tourism sites in Tel Aviv, Nazareth and Jerusalem continue to be bustling with tourists.
More than 100,000 tourists are currently in Israel and touring the country. According to Israel's Ministry of Tourism, the country has not yet found mass cancellations or departures.
There have been some cancellations in recent days, but not at a level that would suggest any kind of trend. Only a handful of groups currently in the country brought forward their departure date.
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Several cruise ships canceled their planned arrival in Israeli ports in the short term. The ministry has received reports of groups from various destinations which have postponed their arrival in Israel -- but not in significant numbers. The real question is whether and how much impact the tourism industry will suffer in the long term.
The Tourism Ministry established a situation room over the weekend that receives updates on the unfolding situation and constantly reviews assessments of the situation. To date there has not been any damage in populated areas beyond a 40-kilometer radius from Gaza. The IDF is involved in operational activity in the south of Israel, a safe distance from the traditional tourist routes and sites in the country, and the situation is under control. Jerusalem is about 80 kilometers from Gaza, and the Galilee is approximately 200 kilometers.
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Publication date: November 20, 2012
