All wars exact a heavy price. Soldiers are killed. Families are devastated. Cities are destroyed. Economies are ruined. In direct economic cost, Israel’s war against Hamas is estimated to come out at $67 billion. But there is a mounting hidden cost which is likely to plague Israeli society for some time to come. I mention these points so that when we pray for Israel, we might not only pray for their war effort but also for many of the societal challenges they face as a result of the wars they are fighting.
Tourism
Aside from the overall population itself, the sector which has been hit the hardest is tourism. In peak years, where Israel usually expects close to five million tourists, the value to the economy is in the billions of dollars.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, a little over three million tourists entered Israel during 2023. That is, until October 7, 2023. Since the war began, tourist numbers have plummeted. For those who rely heavily on tourism income, it has been devastating, particularly since they were just starting to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Fluctuating violence is nothing new to tour operators. Nor is the last-minute cancellation of incoming tour groups due to unexpected war and terrorism. They usually have a financial reserve to help them survive challenging times. However, the COVID-19 lockdowns depleted those reserves and as a result, many businesses are now in a very precarious position. Although many pivoted to helping with relief efforts, if tourism does not recommence soon, many will face financial ruin. […]
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