Israeli tourists flocking back to Sinai

Israeli tourists are flocking back to the Red Sea beaches of the Sinai, especially the young who have not previously visited the Egyptian peninsular. According to the Israel Airports Authority (IAA), 60,000 Israelis crossed the border at Taba south of Eilat in September and October with the number of visitors expected to exceed 200,000 this year compared with 134,455 in 2015 but still only a fraction of the more than 400,000 in 2004.

Moreover, the IAA notes that while most Israelis traveling to Sinai in recent years have been Arabs, more than 70% of the tourists this year have been Jewish.

The rising trend is a major surprise considering the rising tensions in Sinai and the war being waged by the Egyptians against ISIS there and constant travel warning by Israel's ministry of Foreign Affairs. Last year ISIS claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian passenger jet killing all 224 passengers on board - an act which struck a lethal blow to international tourism to Sinai.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 2, 2016

Israeli tourists flocking back to Sinai

60,000 Israelis visited the Egyptian peninsula during September and October, the Israel Airports Authority reports.