Thai Boutique Hotel Labels Israeli Guests As 'Not Recommended' Amid Rising Tourism Hostility

The Shanti Boutique Hotel in Koh Phangan, Thailand, a popular destination among Israeli tourists, has sparked controversy by displaying a message on its Booking.com gallery stating "Not recommended for Israeli guests" in red letters. Despite the hotel’s high ratings, 8.6 on Booking.com and 4.8 on Google, the message appears prominently on photos of the pool, rooms, and other areas. This practice contradicts Booking.com's anti-discrimination policies, which prohibit partners from rejecting or imposing different conditions on guests based on nationality. Following inquiries, Booking.com has launched a thorough investigation into the matter. The hotel has yet to respond.

This incident comes amid a series of hostile acts targeting Israelis and Jews in various international tourist spots. Recently, a document circulated on social media and messaging groups in Italy urged users to report Israeli and Jewish visitors at hotels, vacation rentals, and businesses to "map Zionist tourism." The document was removed after intervention by Italy’s anti-Semitism commissioner and was condemned by the Jewish community as a "real manhunt." Similar hostility has been reported in Sardinia, where social media campaigns and protests at airports have opposed Israeli tourists’ arrivals.

The Shanti Boutique Hotel’s discriminatory message highlights growing tensions faced by Israeli travelers abroad, raising concerns about safety and acceptance in popular vacation destinations.