El Al Israel Airlines reported today that, following the controversy over the new Israel group air fare of $535 for groups of travelers of 40 or more, “a number of encouraging facts were emerging which should not only dispel some initial doubts but which point to a bright outlook for travel to Israel under the new tariff. “
The airline reported that at least 2, 000 tourists flew to Israel on the group plan during the first month of the new fare, which became effective April 1. Airlines and tour operators indicated a generally “favorable” response and that they listed group bookings into the summer as “good, ” El Al said in its report.
“Virtually everyone of the 45 groups departing in April were booked by travel agents, which indicates agents may have earned as much as $150,000 in commissions on the new program, ” the report stated. “Revenue on the $535 fare has exceeded $1,000,000, with total tour sales estimated at a minimum of $1,500,000.”
El Al, chief proponent of the new fare, carried more than 60 percent of the Israel-bound group clients during April, and expects to transport this year 20,000 people in groups as against 14,000 transported on charters during the same period last year, officials of the airline indicated. This represents an increase of over 40 percent in mass transportation to Israel.
The new Israel group fare received the overwhelming endorsement of the American Society of Travel Agents, whose board adopted unanimously a resolution “commending and supporting the Israel fare group concept.”
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