Israeli airline Arkia will now be operating two flights a week between Manchester and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airports. We chat with some key people about the new service and why travelling to Israel is so important.
Whether you are visiting friends and family, going on business or just to show support, its great news for readers looking to go out to Israel. As of October it will no longer be necessary to travel down south to catch a direct flight to Tel Aviv. Israeli Airline Arkia recently announced the inclusion of Manchester to its schedule. It will operate two flights per week to Ben Gurion Airport, scheduled for Mondays and Fridays, starting 14th October. Michael Ben Baruch, Director UK & Ireland, Israel Government Tourist Office; Liat Bell Sommer, Head of Communications and Government Relations at Arkia Israeli Airline; and Haim Katz, Minister of Tourism of Israel, tell us more about how this is going to benefit the Jewish communities in both Manchester and Leeds.
Since October 7th many members of our community have been supporting Israel through various methods, from vigils to fundraising. According to Michael Ben Baruch, visiting the country though is the ultimate show of support: “Those who travel to the country are active participants in its societal healing and recovery from the difficult period people in Israel have experienced and are still going through. It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of the population is affected by the lack of incoming tourism, so every visit to Israel is an expression of support.”
Michael goes on to discuss how the war has affected Israel’s tourism industry: “Like many other sectors, the brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7th have severely impacted incoming tourism to Israel. By September 2023, we were on track to reach record numbers similar to pre-COVID times – 4.5 million tourists from around the world. Despite the current situation, I am encouraged by the significant number of visitors from the UK.”
Israel is still focused on boosting its tourist trade. Haim Katz outlines what the Ministry has done to help: “Early on, I ensured that residents evacuated from conflict zones would be relocated to hotels, providing them with a suitable alternative while helping hotels navigate the crisis.
We worked to expand compensation for businesses in the conflict zone so that even businesses in tourism-based communities would be compensated. Recently, we secured 70 million shekels (approx. 14.7 million GBP) in assistance to retain essential workers in the tourism industry. Additionally, we are currently formulating a policy for the rehabilitation of hotels that hosted residents evacuated from their homes, with an allocated budget of 200 million shekels (approx. 41 million GBP).”
The new service from Arkia was announced at a time when concerns of safety and security are heightened, with other airlines still not back in service on the route. Liat Bell Sommer explained why Manchester was the best option for a new flight itinerary:
“When we thought about launching the new route to Manchester, we thought about the needs of the Israeli public and the Jewish community in the UK. Since October 7th, we have seen that the Jewish community around the world is eager to visit Israel and support the communities that were severely affected by the war. Now, thanks to Arkia’s direct flights, they can visit Israel much more easily. Of course, Israelis also have a great interest in visiting Manchester, the capital of world football!”
Naturally, despite the figures, the war has made some travelers hesitant to head to Israel. Haim understands these concerns but offers this reassurance: “We want to reassure those hesitant to visit that tourism areas have remained the safest throughout the war — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, the Dead Sea, and Tiberias — all are operating as usual. Israel’s gates were never closed and the number of flights from the UK into Ben Gurion Airport have been gradually increasing.”
Even those who have visited the country many times before may be surprised by some of its hidden gems, as Michael shares: “Personally, I recommend exploring the Negev. I’m admittedly biased since I’ve lived there all my life, but it truly is a wonderful place to discover. It offers breathtaking landscapes, numerous marked hiking
trails, diverse communities, a developing culinary and wine scene with many wineries, fascinating archaeology, rich history, and more. I also recommend the Dor-Habonim Beach Nature Reserve, which I believe is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Israel and the world. This perfect reserve is filled with charming coves, even more stunning hiking trails, and archaeological remains of an ancient port city. I also have a deep love for the city of Haifa, which is the best example of coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Israel.
“Those visiting in December have the opportunity to participate in the “Holiday of Holidays” celebrations, a festival named to reflect the joy of all the religious holidays that occur during this period: Chanukah, Christmas, and Ramadan. Another must- see stop when visiting Haifa is the Talpiot Market; its excellent culinary scene, combined with its authentic and unique atmosphere, offers a wonderful way to spend Friday afternoons.”
Arlia.il Goisrael.com