Tourists have nothing to fear in Southern Israel

A marketing executive, given the contract, might feel the job was right up there with promoting the export of carbon-based heating products to Newcastle or packaging frozen-water capsules for Eskimos.

Under the banner of Auckland's Festival of Europe, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, several airlines and travel specialists last week ran a promotion to entice visitors to Israel and neighbouring countries - hardly the top of most tourists' must-see list right now.

But David Beirman, the director of Israel's Tourism Office for Australasia and the south-west Pacific, says most of the country is completely unaffected by the violent outbreaks shown on TV or in the newspapers.

"Southern Israel offers New Zealanders a range of sights and experiences which are totally different from any they can find at home, and this region is free of the conflict which has dominated the news headlines," he says.

He cites the Dead Sea, with its unique waters, muds and minerals used in cosmetics and skin-disease treatments, historic sites and lush oases. The region boasts accommodation from five-star hotels to budget and backpacker hostels. Other attractions in the south include the Negev Desert and the Red Sea resort of Eilat.

Even the most accomplished spin-doctor might have to admit that the Middle East is a tricky spot for a holiday at the moment. In what should have been a record-breaking year, Israeli officials have seen expected revenue slip away as violence continues to plague the Holy Land. Thousands have cancelled plans and tourism revenue has slowed to a trickle after more than a month of deadly clashes, according to news agencies.

Many major Western governments, including the United States, Canada and Britain, have issued advisories cautioning against travel to Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem because of a heightened threat of terrorist attacks.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory covering Israel and the Palestinian Authority (West Bank and Gaza, Mt Scopus, the Mount of Olives and Nazareth). It advises against all travel to those regions and East Jerusalem, and any non-essential travel to West Jerusalem. It recommends that New Zealanders in the West Bank and Gaza should consider leaving unless they have compelling reasons to stay.

The TV pictures and the warnings have hurt: Israel's national airline carrier, El Al, reported a cancellation rate of 15 per cent last week, though industry sources suggest it has been at least 30 per cent.

The Israel Hotel Association predicts the tourism industry will lose $NZ1.2-$1.5 billion during the coming northern winter - about half the projected revenue. About 10,000 workers will lose their jobs.

Ami Etgar, who coordinates all tour groups coming into Israel, said November-December were expected to be peak months but cancellations were running at 70 per cent, and since the violence began no one had made any bookings for next year.

"When there is this kind of violence in the region, nobody profits from it. Up until now it's been our best year ever, but now they are not coming."

Jerusalem had expected a heavy influx of Christian pilgrims this year, the 2000th anniversary of Jesus' birth. Palestinian and Israeli tour boards had worked together and spent millions preparing for 4 million visitors. Tourism amounts to nearly 10 per cent of Israel's gross national product.

Were Mary and Joseph to visit Bethlehem today, they would find 84 empty beds at the 84-room Shepherd's Hotel - not to mention a plethora of other empty hotels built or renovated for the millennium.

Riyad al-Yatim, manager of the Shepherd's Hotel, sits at home most days as the violence plays out on the outskirts of his town, listening to bursts of fire as Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen shoot it out.

Tourists should have nothing to fear by visiting the West Bank, since Palestinian youths involved in clashes with Israeli soldiers know tourists are not fair game, he insists.

"We have a gentlemen's agreement that tourists are the major source of income so they are not to be touched. All the people understand that this is where we eat from, so they are not allowed to touch any tourists or cause problems to tourist buses."