Seeds getting planted for Emirates to fly to Israel?

[Kobe Bryant]

I will allow. (But FYI the one I got on your behalf was never credited to my account 

I never get credited, maybe there's a DDF FR pending somewhere.

[moe8555]

You think we'll start seeing Israel/Tel Aviv/Eilat become a "party" destination for wealthy Gulf folks?

[ExGingi]

You think we'll start seeing Israel/Tel Aviv/Eilat become a "party" destination for wealthy Gulf folks?

What does Eilat have to offer them?

[Proisrael]

What does Eilat have to offer them?

5 star hotels with 5 star service. Unbeatable prices. Weather to die for. Pristine beaches. Another stamp on their passport. A beautiful airport to come see right near the city.

It is pretty obvious.

[tavster]

5 star hotels with 5 star service. Unbeatable prices. Weather to die for. Pristine beaches. Another stamp on their passport. A beautiful airport to come see right near the city.

It is pretty obvious.

You forgot the unbeatable hospitality

[efflpetzel]

5 star hotels with 5 star service. Unbeatable prices. Weather to die for. Pristine beaches. Another stamp on their passport. A beautiful airport to come see right near the city.

It is pretty obvious.

Lol, you must have wrote that sarcasticly


Any four star hotel in the UAE is nicer & has better service than any five star hotel in Eilat.

Pristine Beaches, haha!

[moe8555]

It's not about the hotel/beach quality.  It's about being a close, modern destination with Western freedoms above and beyond theirs.

I've seen various reports of wealthy Gulf residents "having a good time" in the U.S. for example, in a manner that would be forbidden or, at minimum, frowned upon in their home country.

Add to that the "exotic" factor Israel probably has for them, food they would certainly relate to, and an abundance of Arabic on signs/products etc., and the financial resources to enjoy it all. Putting myself in their shoes, it would be a very attractive concept.

[Happyguy]

It's not about the hotel/beach quality.  It's about being a close, modern destination with Western freedoms above and beyond theirs.

I've seen various reports of wealthy Gulf residents "having a good time" in the U.S. for example, in a manner that would be forbidden or, at minimum, frowned upon in their home country.

Add to that the "exotic" factor Israel probably has for them, food they would certainly relate to, and an abundance of Arabic on signs/products etc., and the financial resources to enjoy it all. Putting myself in their shoes, it would be a very attractive concept.

Never thought about that, good point!

[Kobe Bryant]

It's not about the hotel/beach quality.  It's about being a close, modern destination with Western freedoms above and beyond theirs.

I've seen various reports of wealthy Gulf residents "having a good time" in the U.S. for example, in a manner that would be forbidden or, at minimum, frowned upon in their home country.

Add to that the "exotic" factor Israel probably has for them, food they would certainly relate to, and an abundance of Arabic on signs/products etc., and the financial resources to enjoy it all. Putting myself in their shoes, it would be a very attractive concept.

Well said.
There is no doubt that Israel will attract many vacationers from the Gulf states.

[Dan]

It's not about the hotel/beach quality.  It's about being a close, modern destination with Western freedoms above and beyond theirs.

I've seen various reports of wealthy Gulf residents "having a good time" in the U.S. for example, in a manner that would be forbidden or, at minimum, frowned upon in their home country.

Add to that the "exotic" factor Israel probably has for them, food they would certainly relate to, and an abundance of Arabic on signs/products etc., and the financial resources to enjoy it all. Putting myself in their shoes, it would be a very attractive concept.

They'll go once and that'll be it.

Old hotels, poor service, garbage beaches. Nothing to warrant a repeat trip.

[aygart]

They'll go once and that'll be it.

Old hotels, poor service, garbage beaches. Nothing to warrant a repeat trip.

Maybe it will help bring up the entire Israeli hotel industry. {wakes up}

[Kobe Bryant]

They'll go once and that'll be it.

Old hotels, poor service, garbage beaches. Nothing to warrant a repeat trip.

There's also a possibility that this reshapes Eilat (the only thing that won't change is the terrible service.)

[moe8555]

Israir announced December 2 as their start date for UAE flights.

This time a "regular" source :-)
https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001346907

[moe8555]

They'll go once and that'll be it.

Old hotels, poor service, garbage beaches. Nothing to warrant a repeat trip.

Those are legitimate concerns, but I still think something beyond the hotels and beaches will bring them here and keep them coming back.  Don't forget the religious aspect, antiquities, plenty of other things beyond the beach and hotel (which they have plenty of at home, anyway).

I think the nightlife will keep a certain segment coming back also.

[Proisrael]

I think the nightlife will keep a certain segment coming back also.

Eilat has a lot to work on (or not depending on your religious beliefs) when it comes to nightlife.

[Kobe Bryant]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-11-04/flydubai-start-flights-tel-aviv%3famp

[tavster]

I checked this morning if TLV airport code had been added to the website.. but no

Since then looks like it's been added (desktop only)

https://twitter.com/ItayBlumental/status/1325843594050220035?s=19

[tavster]

Itay also talking about a daily flight beginning December 3rd, but cant find this anywhere else

https://twitter.com/ItayBlumental/status/1325455564932067328?s=19

[tavster]

That's it. EK flights are in the ben Gurion schedule from December 3rd. Daily flight departing tlv at 18:25

[ExGingi]

That's it. EK flights are in the ben Gurion schedule from December 3rd. Daily flight departing tlv at 18:25

Not pricing