According to a survey conducted for the Tourism Ministry, about 65% of the chareidi market in Israel prefer to vacation in the country rather than travel overseas; 57% of the chareidi sector went on a vacation in Israel this year and of these, 60% chose to travel to the north. About 30% used the internet as their source of information in selecting a vacation.
The survey was part of a general survey conducted by the Israel Government Advertising Agency (LAPAM) via Yifat Gat Ltd. Brands in July 2013, with the objective of getting to know the characteristics of the chareidi sector and their vacationing habits and the current obstacles. The survey also showed that many chareidi families take one vacation a year, either as a couple or as a family, thanks to the increasing supply of suitable vacation accommodation.
According to the survey, the north of Israel and Jerusalem were the most popular holiday destinations. Preference was given to areas rich in tourist attractions that offer a vacation that combines rest and nature with activities – for example, ATVs, factory tours and proximity to rabbis’ graves. Preference was also given to areas that include water hikes, places of entertainment with kosher facilities and places for tefilos. The areas in the south and Eilat are less popular with the chareidi sector.
Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau said “The Tourism Ministry sees great potential in the chareidi market; this increase is in line with the upward trend in domestic tourism in the last year. In addition to the large supply of sites and camping grounds that are suitable for the chareidi sector and attractive nature reserves, there is an educational value to a “blue-and-white” holiday.”
The Tourism Ministry sees great potential in tourism for the chareidi sector in general, as a result of the survey which showed that domestic tourism does not compete with a vacation overseas. The ministry is interested in developing this sector and is currently working in two areas: advertising the tourism product to the chareidi sector and encouraging tourism associations in the south to make their attractions and accommodation facilities attractive to the chareidi sector. The tourism minister is currently in discussions regarding professional training for chareidi tour guides in the areas relevant to that sector.
The Tourism Ministry has invested NIS 400,000 to date in a radio campaign and on the kosher internet and is in the process of producing a video to encourage chareidi tourism to the south. The video clip showcases to the chareidi public the touring and accommodation options in the south, as well as suitable attractions and hikes. The ministry intends to invest up to another NIS 500,000 in marketing tourism information to the that sector.
The survey analyses the differences between modern and conservative chareidi m and lists the unique characteristics of the average chareidi family, including the large number of children, the family budget being dependent on the wife as the main or only breadwinner and a short family vacation period of only three weeks. The chareidi family seeks educational value in their family vacations, viewing them as an essential tool in “recharging their batteries”. It would appear that modern chareidi m have similar guiding principles to secular or traditional vacationers when it comes to preparing for the holiday – underlining the importance of good and plentiful food, Jacuzzi, spa and an atmosphere of a holiday overseas. Nonetheless, while the chareidi vacationer may want to change his environment and cut off from routine, he must find an environment that suits his unique needs, albeit not necessarily isolating himself in a dedicated hotel for chareidi vacationers.
The ministry also checked to see what prevented those chareidi respondents from taking a vacation this year – 50% attributed it to “lack of time” or “did not take a holiday”; 38% cited economic reasons, 7% said they do not normally take vacation, 2% cited “because of the children”, 2% “health reasons” and 7% did not know or had no special reason.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
keep on taking money away from the chareidim, the whole economy will suffer
They should be congratulated for recognizing the potential benefits of promoting chareidi vacations and thereby getting this segment of the population more integrated with the rest of the population of EY. The more they mingle with other yidden at the many wonderful historic sites, scenic areas, beaches and cultural sites in EY the more understanding and achdus there will be among Isrealis.
Ah so chareidim support the israeli economy instead of going to india, brazil and turkey.
I would say 50% had no time because they had to work because they have no money so lets just put it at 88% cant afford
Does the right hand which insists that hareidim are impoverished unemplyed parasites realize that the left hand thinks that hareidim are an important element in Israel’s economy? Hint, in government the right hand rarely knows what the left hand is doing, and Israel does aspire to be a government just like all the others – and are quite good at it.