The tourism industry is losing $2 million daily as a result of the strike.
According to figures reported by the Hotels Association, some 5,000 tourists were to have entered Israel daily at the beginning of December. Based on a calculation of the cost of overnights, meals, inland travel, tours and entry into sites, the loss to the economy amounts to $2 million.
It is difficult for the heads of the tourism sector to estimate how many tourists are "stuck" in Israel. The incoming tourism organisers bureau estimates their number at tens of thousands. Some are in the airport while some are staying in hotels. At the same time, there are numerous cancellations of arrivals in Israel, even at later dates.
The outgoing tourism travel agents association reported that it intends to bring financial action against the heads of the Histadrut Labour Federation as being responsible for the heavy damages.
It will be noted that thousands of Israeli travellers are awaiting flights to Israel at various destinations and airfields world-wide. The strike is especially damaging to those holding flight tickets with charter airlines, which cancelled flights and cannot offer their passengers alternative flights. Since the strike started, 30 charter flights were due to arrive in Israel. Reports from groups of passengers at London’s Gatwick airport, for example, indicate that the charter companies are disavowing any responsibility toward their passengers, who are in a difficult situation.