Violence In Israel Puts A Damper On Easter Tourism Season

USA Today reports: JERUSALEM — Nearly six months of non-stop Palestinian attacks are dampening prospects for an Easter tourism season that normally provides this historic region a big economic boost.

Israel’s $10-billion-a-year tourism industry never fully recovered from the war with Hamas in the summer of 2014. Now the latest round of assaults is scaring away additional visitors.

Easter, which is traditionally high season, “isn’t looking great,” said Israel Hotel Association Spokesperson Pnina Shalev. “We won’t know the numbers until after the holiday (March 27), but we are concerned.”

Since the Palestinian attacks began in late September, tourism has fallen only slightly — but from already weak numbers. Foreign visits are down 14% from record highs of 2013, according to the Ministry of Tourism.