In the final 10 months of 2022, more than 150,000 Israeli visitors travelled to the UAE. This year, as the two nations plan to boost flight frequency, also looks positive for tourism development between the UAE and Israel.
Following the Abraham Accord’s signature in September 2020, the two Middle Eastern countries opened their borders, which allowed for a flowering of people-to-people exchange.
Beginning on March 1, 2022, Israel will welcome all international visitors who have received a Covid-19 vaccination.
Around 1,600 Emirati nationals travelled from the UAE to Israel in the final 10 months of 2022, according to Pini Shani, senior vice president of the Israel Ministry of Tourism.
“We abolished the travel restrictions beginning in March 2022, and more than 150,000 Israelis visited the UAE during this time. Due to their passion of spending money while travelling and experiencing, Israeli visitors are excellent spenders. Spending by residents of the UAE and foreigners is $180 (Dh661) per day, excluding flights. After a recent trip to the UAE, Shani gave an interview to Khaleej Times on how business travellers spend even more money yet remain in Israel for less days.
The SVP of the Israel Ministry of Tourist met executives from the travel and tourism sector during a trip to the United Arab Emirates last month. They discussed business potential by giving tour operators the chance to work with Israel through an incentive or joint marketing arrangement.
For each visitor who stays in Israel for at least four nights, the Israel Ministry of Tourism awards a travel agency 20 euros (Dh78).
According to Shani, Israel can provide travellers from the UAE and the GCC the ideal accommodations, including halal eateries, Arabic-speaking tour guides, Islamic tourist destinations, and family-friendly hotels and establishments.
Travel in 2023
Following the pandemic’s recovery, Pini Shani is certain that 2023 will be a fantastic year for tourism.
“In 2022, we’ve already recovered thanks to great tourist admissions from the USA, Germany, France, and Italy, which are our main sources of visitors. The Abraham Accord is an excellent chance for the UAE and Israel to establish long-lasting ties and strong cultural ties. The UAE is a novel place for the Israeli public, enticing them to travel there in great numbers.
“However, UAE citizens and foreign residents need more time to learn about what Israel has to offer them as a travel destination. As a result, the proportion of Israeli tourists will essentially remain unchanged. The number of tourists from the UAE would also significantly rise in the future years, he continued.
With 70 flights per week run by Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad, EL-Al, and Israir, there is now strong connection between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Shani said, “We intend to enhance flight frequency to promote tourism from the UAE and throughout the world, particularly from Southeast Asia, Oceania, and more.
visa difficulty
The Israeli visa and the need for greater information and understanding about Israel are the two biggest barriers to expanding tourism, Shani said while addressing difficulties that the industry faces.
Visitors who are residents of the UAE but not UAE nationals must apply for an Israeli visa (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh). Unfortunately, potential tourists must take the time (about two weeks) required to obtain a visa into account when deciding where to travel to next. With the help of the Israeli travel trade, we want to conduct roadshows and deliver seminars for the regional travel business to raise awareness of Israel as a tourist destination,” he added.
He said that in order to boost bilateral tourism, the UAE’s tourism sector is being trained, and Israel’s attractions are being promoted to potential visitors. “We want to show kindness, tolerance, various communities, nature, homegrown cuisine, culture, tradition, and history. Additionally, we hope to establish positive relationships with airline companies, the media, and travel agents,” he continued.
