General21:00 · 12h ago

Northern Israel Tourism Struggles to Recover Amid Lingering Security Fears

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Northern Israel’s tourism remains stalled nearly 1,000 days after conflict began in October 2023.
02Metula’s guest cabins and hotels mostly closed or damaged; only about 30 rooms operate now.
03Local council plans summer festivals and tours to revive tourism despite visitor fears.
04Kiryat Shmona businesses rely on returning residents and soldiers for survival.
05Business owners urge public support during ceasefire, citing government neglect.
06Adventure and outdoor tourism slowly resume, but many attractions remain closed.

In this story

People

Amir Shoshani, Orly Shoshani, David Azulai, Shimon Amar, Rami Shalmon, Adi Cohen

OrganizationsBaroness Complex, Maalot-Tarshiha Adventure Tours, Kibbutz Kfar Blum

PlacesMetula, Kiryat Shmona, Lebanon, Northern Israel, Maalot-Tarshiha, Kibbutz Kfar Blum

The story · English

Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, the four guest cabins at the Baroness complex in Metula have remained empty. Amir Shoshani, a retired captain who served over 700 days in reserve duty, has reopened his family’s tourism site with his wife Orly, but despite a ceasefire declared about two weeks ago, tourists remain hesitant to visit. Shoshani explains that since the war began nearly 1,000 days ago, only soldiers have occasionally stayed for free, and local tourism businesses are still struggling to regain trust and attract visitors.

The local council plans to hold three major festivals and farmers' markets this summer, alongside guided tours led by Mayor David Azulai every Friday, aiming to revive the region’s tourism. Currently, Metula operates about 30 guest rooms and a few hotels, many of which closed or are under repair due to war damage. Shoshani acknowledges tourists’ fears of tension and the desire for stress-free vacations but insists that life must resume despite occasional explosions heard from Lebanon.

In Kiryat Shmona, about 40% of residents have returned after a prolonged evacuation, and local businesses rely heavily on soldiers and reservists for income. Shimon Amar, owner of a falafel stand, calls on the public to support northern businesses during the ceasefire, lamenting the prolonged conflict and unfulfilled promises of swift victory. Similarly, Rami Shalmon, who owns an adventure tours company in Maalot-Tarshiha, is gradually restarting operations after serving over 800 days in reserve duty.

At Kibbutz Kfar Blum, Adi Cohen, deputy director of the kayaking center, opened the season three months late. She notes that many businesses have closed permanently since the last ceasefire in November 2024, and local cafes often shut early. Cohen criticizes the government for abandoning the north and expresses hope that tourists will return, relying on citizens to support surviving businesses. She emphasizes that the tourism sector’s recovery depends on restoring attractions and visitor confidence amid ongoing security uncertainties.

Read the original at Ynet