Tourism from Europe in the first half of 1963 rose, compared with the same period last year, while tourism from the United States fell in the comparable period, it was announced here today. European tourism rose from 32 per cent to 41 per cent of all tourism to Israel, while that of the United States fell from 34 per cent to 30.6 per cent.
The period included three months of tourism following a ban on charter flights to Israel, and it was assumed that the introduction of group flights from the United States failed to compensate for losses caused by the ban. Israel is almost the only country banning charter flights and refusing landing rights to such flights. All major European countries not only offer charter flights but have stepped up such services. This is done through affiliates of the official airlines, an arrangement which permits then to adhere to the ban of the International Air Travel Association while disembarking Israel-bound passengers at Cyprus. From there, the travelers go to Israel by boat.
The only exception on landing rights is for pilgrimage tours from Europe and the United States, but these have fallen off considerably. The issue is expected to come up for reconsideration next fall.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
