About 20% of employees in the tourism industry are likely to be laid off in the wake of Operation Protective Edge, the Association of Tourist Agents and Consultants believes. The Association says that the first layoffs in the sector, which employs 20,000, have already begun because of the situation while other employees have been put on shorter hours.
The Association has asked Minister of Tourism Uzi Landau to stress assistance to small businesses some of which are in danger of bankruptcy.
The Association is concerned that most of the compensation and assistance will be given to large hotels that have enjoyed the economic cream in the past few years rather than the small guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments and travel agencies that live from hand to mouth.
The letter to Landau said, "As in Israeli society there are different levels of social strength and financial soundness in the Israeli tourism industry too. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism must take into account all links that make up the sector's chain."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 4, 2014
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