Travel

Philippines to allow Israeli tourists in after some two years. Visitors must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test from the 48 hours preceding their flights.

Tourism professionals polled by the World Tourism Organization do not expect a full recover before 2024 or later.

"There are widespread negative feelings in the Diaspora of being an afterthought," former MK says. "Repairing that relationship needs to take place."

Visually impaired visitors will soon also be able to visit the holy sites with the help of a new app called Step Hear.

The plan includes compensation for tour guides and incoming travel agencies, as well as government grants, and subsidies for advertising campaigns.

Prof. Itamar Grotto says data points to more Omicron infections from community spread than from foreign tourists or Israelis returning from abroad.

Government's latest policy on red countries will cause fewer Israelis to be vaccinated, employees of the sector warn as their colleagues fume over ministers' remarks about "shutting down" tourism and workers "changing professions."

Tourism Ministry officials say Israel is unlikely to extend two-week ban on foreigners entering the country and could even cut it short.

Israel imposes two-week ban on entry to foreigners, puts 50 African countries on no-fly list, and mandates minimum 72-hour quarantine for all returning Israelis to thwart spread of Omicron variant first detected in South Africa.

To enter Central European country, passengers from Israel, Southern Africa, Hong Kong, and Belgium will need to provide proof of Swiss citizenship or residence in Switzerland or one of the 26 Schengen countries.