Israel, Tourism and Supporting Local Businesses in Today's World

Support Local Businesses

Local To My Home - Best Falafel In Jerusalem

For almost 8 years, I worked in travel and tourism.

Bringing Jewish youth mainly from the USA to Israel for a 10 day free trip. I worked for a company called Routes Travel that had a department associated with the incredible organization Birthright Israel

For years, working in tourism, I learnt the ins and outs of so many new concepts. Hotels, flight management, tickets, airlines, trips, travel, reservations and more. 

Most of all I learnt that 

"Tourism is a glorious thing,

There is nothing like tourists, tourism and traveling!"

Of course, tourists and tourism also equals economy, contributing to sales, job income, profits and more.

- - - - - - -

Nowadays, it's easy to see most images through awesome Google.

For now that's all we've got!

I have a huge fascination for India. All I need to do is Google "beautiful India" and see what I'm missing. Just not the same as traveling on a physical trip.

I've never been. I dream I will one day! I talk all the time to my friends there. I wish I could travel there and they could take me around and tour.

I wish my friends could visit me here too. Stay with me in my home, see my country and culture for what it is. Taste the wonderful food we have to offer.

I never really appreciated tourism in Israel on a high scale until I started working in it, fell in love with my country and the beauty of it. There is so much about tourism we just don't know about or see.

- - - - - -

I've traveled to some countries. UK is my birth country. Traveled Europe, USA and more.

Now I have built my own company, no longer working in tourism, I continue to love tourism, to dream of traveling again, love my surroundings, love my country, sharing my Israel travel journey with my friends on social media for this very reason. It’s apart of who I am. Part of my personal branding. 

- - - - - - -

Israel is not really portrayed in a good light to the world. Media channels tell stories often from one perspective and not the other, yet Israel is always busy during peak tourist times! Even through wars, visitors continued to travel through Israel and enjoy what we have to offer.

In today’s world, tourism has suffered a great deal throughout the globe. Those vacations we all had to cancel. Countries still on lock down.

It’s so much bigger than we imagine. Not just travel companies, tourist sights, all their employees, airlines- flight attendants and pilots, ground staff, restaurants, malls, stores, shops, food services, hotels so much has suffered with no end in sight.

Total Uncertainty what the future holds 

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) travel and tourism create 1 in 10 of the world’s jobs, over 100 million of which are threatened by the impact of the global spread of corona virus. 

This Is Huge!

I have many tour guide friends who have had to pivot from what they do and find a new focus. Many friends have lost their jobs being in this vast industry. It's devastating.

Israel's boarders closed in March to tourism. From March to June we rarely ventured out the house. We didn't see or notice the loss so much, even during the start of peak tourism time.

While I personally believe it's a good move closing the boarder, not allowing other countries to enter and not allowing us to enter most countries, it is still heart-breaking when I look around me.

Just last week, I took my kids to the central part of the city of Jerusalem. Downtown Jerusalem.

Peak tourist time, end of August and not a soul in sight.

When the government offered money to each family, here in Israel, it was asked that we try to use it to help the economy. So we try to get out and spend where we can and help local businesses. 

As a household, owning two businesses we understand the need to support one another.

Photo of Ben Yehuda - Downtown Jerusalem - August 2020 - Usually packed with tourists and people.

- - - - - - -

Recently we spent some time on booking.com looking for a short getaway vacation. We were pretty late in planning and booking but we didn't imagine how hard it would be. Israelis throughout the country are mainly traveling around Israel and every decent accommodation was booked. All campsites were full. Airbnb's, apartments, most accommodation throughout the country.

I'm actually really pleased. Of course, it was annoying that we couldn't find anything decent for accommodation, at least places are full and the businesses are making money.

The most empty places seem to be hotels. Many won't go to hotels because they want to eliminate being in the crowds. Hotels are generally crowded this time of year, with quick turn around using the same rooms someone recently checked out of.

Business Insider published an article in July about hotels and the safety.

By definition, hotels are gathering spaces, filled with both staff and other guests. They are places where many objects — from remote controls to furnishings — are shared and reused by visitor after visitor, sometimes with mere hours in between. If these facts never raised red flags for travelers in the past, they likely will now, at a time when social distancing and sanitizing are top of mind.

So many new factors to consider. Crowds, Mixed Gatherings, Staff and guests.

Social distancing and sanitizing being right there at the top.

- - - - - - -

Back in Israel, many cities are high risk. Jerusalem being right at the top. New rules changing daily.

Many businesses, store owners, restaurant and services forced to shut down. High percentage of people have lost jobs. Breaks my heart. I only know what I see and hear over here in Israel. I can only imagine what bigger countries are going through.

In May, UNWTO reports that tourism could fall 60-80%.

We're now over 7 months in and we've reached September, still with no end in sight.

The high holidays will approach shortly, a time for family and friends to be together and no visitors. The streets are quieter.

Almost Empty.

Still With Uncertainty. 

All we can do is focus on the now.

The present.

Today.

If you can - support local businesses. 

A talented seamstress friend produces washable material masks and so we bought. Some proceeds also going to charity.

The falafel and pizza guys down the road. We try to order whenever we can.

The small store that sells everything stationery for a few N.I.S more. Now we try to frequent, to offer support.

We have to keep going. Stay positive. We have to help others keep going. Support a local business. If you can. Support each other. Bring tourism back to life soon. I need a plane ride. I need to travel. I miss traveling! Let's hope things turn around soon.

What about you? How do you feel about the current tourism situation? Are you looking to local businesses for supplies and giving them the support they need?