The general exodus of tourists staying on the northern border began this morning, with the rain of Katyusha rockets, and increasing tensions in the region. Western Galiliee was hit by dozens of rockets, and according to the local tourism authority, all guest-houses and hotels emptied out.
Tourists also exited the upper Galilee, although this was characterized as "restrained exodus". At the same time, many reservations dating ahead to the end of August, were canceled.
Northern Galilee tourism industry heads are demanding compensation and government support, due to the large drop in tourism revenues.
According to Moshe Attiya, head of the non-profit organization for tourism in the Upper Galilee, "Last week, we notified the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism and Prime Minister’s Office, that this damage could not pass without suitable compensation in response. This is our peak season, which is supposed to balance out the low points of the rest of the year. We demand support and compensation. Turnover for the tourism industry - housing, activities and services - during a regular, fully-booked August, is estimated at NIS 2-3 million per day, and that [figure] will serve as a basis for compensation. We need to organize our figures regarding damages, but it is clear that this region, during peak season, reaches a certain volume. We must assess the damages and be compensated accordingly.
The summer months of July and primarily August, are the height of the Galilee tourist season. Ordinarily, occupancy rates are 95%, comprised mainly by Israelis.
Since tensions began escalating in the north, two weeks ago, a 30% drop has been recorded in tourism in the Galilee.