Israeli tourism to Turkey plummets

The storming of the Gaza Flotilla, led to feelings of uncertainty and the repercussions continue to ripple. Israeli tourist brokers have announced an almost total freeze in tourists planning trips to Turkey. Even in Turkey Israelis holidaying there fearing terrorist attacks have cancelled tours and excursions, returning to hotels and awaiting flights home. Turkey has been a favoured tourist destination for Israelis. According to statistics from the Airports Authority, in 2008, 530,000 Israelis visited Turkey, in 2009 that number was 300,000 but this year it will fall to barely a few thousand. That will lead to a fall in over $200m to the Turkish economy. Israelis will now have the choice of either staying at home or maybe visiting similar nearby Medierranena destininations such as Cyprus or Rhodes?