Travel
Flying to Eilat? Tourists pay extra
Tali Harouti-Sover
Published: 02.11.05, 01:03
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14 Talkbacks for this article
1. No surprise
Jeff ,   Washington, DC   (11.02.05)
This shouldn't surprise anyone. Israeli hotels have been charging non-Israelis higher rates for years. If more people complained (or yelled- this is Israel, after all), maybe the Israeli tourism industry would change its practices. Anyone Israer can't be a worse airline than El Al, the worst of the worst.
2. Milking Tourists....
Hiram ,   tel aviv   (11.02.05)
The story about Israir does not surprise me the least. The mentality in this country is such that companies will do whatever they can. illegal or not, to make a buck, It has been known for a long time and several similar cases have been posted on Ynet columns. This include hotel prices, discos etc...the worst is that the ministry of Tourism is fully aware of this but because all these guys belong to the same "scratch my back , ill scratch yours" group of " elite " nobody wants to rock the boat, and after all , what is the value of a Tourist coming to Israel to spend his hard earned money ? This practice probably takes place alos in some other " remote" locations around the world but it is unfortunately ( or fortunately ) more visible in a small country like Israel . The same practices apply also to car rental companies. Responsible parties ( if there is such a thing in Israel as someone responsible that is ...) should take swift and public action to clean up shop before tourists decide that for the same money they will have a better value AND smiles for the same price ( service to tourists is an other issue.....)
3. Works in reverse too. I booked a Jerusalem hotel on the
Bunnie Meyer ,   Santa Monica, CA   (11.02.05)
internet and was quoted and paid a very attractive and reasonable price, for sure a bargain. While sitting in the lobby, an Israeli came in to get a room for the night. Now that was expensive. Moral: Have a friend outside of Israel book a room or a car on the internet and then come in with the reservation. Doesn't it seem funny to have an American Jew giving bargain tips to Israelis shopping in Israel?
4. This has been going on for years
Mark ,   Toronto   (11.02.05)
After living in Israel for 7 years, it was a know fact by all us Anglos that if you have an Israeli ID and spoke Hebrew you will get better prices for hotels and flights (especially to Eilat) than "tourists"
5. to #4
Hiram ,   tel aviv   (11.02.05)
This confirms the crooked mentality of Isreli businesses in which , I say again, it is important to make as much money in as little time possible...Israeli do not car if tourists come back or no... If you the opportunity go and spend a couple of night in ANY hotels in Switzerland...and compare with your stay at the DAN s in tel Aviv !!
6. booking over net is always cheaper no matter where!
(11.02.05)
7. Hiram, I agree - Israel isn't a service economy
(11.02.05)
8. maybe not fair, but expected
Shaanan ,   Rehovot   (11.02.05)
It doesnt make it fair, but there is a lot more money in america than here, and american jews on average have a lot more money than israelis do. If they come here to visit, they can afford to pay.
9. arkia cost the same is all languages.
elliad ,   tel aviv   (11.03.05)
I am glad this was published in the english version. from a quick check hat I did, the article is right. on the other hand, looking at the arkia website, i found exactly the same prices in english, hebrew and russian. In fact onthe english site you may actually wind up paying less because there is an option to get the VAT back upon departure. let me encourage all of you to write israir and let them know that this situation is inacceptable.
10. Tourists pay extra
David ,   London   (11.03.05)
This rotten practice has been going on for years, especially at Israel Hotels. They play the market maximisation game, charging different rates for the identical product depending on the country of residence. It is abhorent to be ripped off when supporting Israel economy and people. Last minute deals are neverv offered.
11. tourists pay extra all over the world! stop whining!
(11.04.05)
and pretending that this is an Israel only issue!
12. israelis don't respect anglos who try and speak Hebrew
Ryan ,   Toronto, Canada   (11.05.05)
This is a phenomenon that permeates throughout Israel. I went to study at ulpan this summer after studying Hebrew in Canada for 2 years, and every time I would try and speak to an Israeli in Hebrew, they would respond to me in their sub par English. If I prompted with how much does this cost in Hebrew, I would get the number back in English. If I said 'thank you' in Hebrew, I would get 'you're welcome' back in English. Irrespective of my accent, I found this disrespectful to people trying to learn the language.
13. one week later and no change!
elliad ,   tel aviv   (11.06.05)
I checked the Israir sites again today. Still no change, English flights still cost more.
14. Hotel Prices
Mauricio ,   Brazil   (11.22.05)
I visited Isreal on July and found that making hotel reservation by Internet in all the country, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, etc...But I really did not go to Eilat was cheaper then it would be for an Isreal Ctizen. Due to VAT and more considerations...
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