TUI to Restart Flights to Israel

TUI, Europe´s biggest travel and tourism group, said earlier this week that it planned to restart regular services between Germany and Israel after withdrawing from the market six years ago amid an outbreak of violence.

“After a number of years of absence, we´re returning to Israel,” TUI said in a statement.

“Despite the latest incidents, the overall situation is more stable and calm. The demand for holidays in Israel has increased appreciably.”

In addition, TUI said it also planned to acquire a 50-percent stake of Israel-based travel agency Holiday Travel Ltd, with effect from January 1.

After about 1.5 million arrivals in 2004, the Israeli ministry of tourism was reckoning on an increase of 25 percent to 1.9 million tourists for this year.