With Turkey and Egypt in deep tourism crisis, the Israeli Tourism Ministry is investing $2.6 million to woo northern visitors

While Egypt tourism is free-falling due to Islamic State-linked terrorism and Turkey is in crisis after shooting down a Russian fighter jet, tourism officials in Jerusalem are hoping the Russian tourists will pick Israel as a favourite destination.

An extra $2.6 million campaign is currently being developed “in an attempt to create an alternative” and to attract Northern climate guests looking for a sunny holiday, according to Michal Gerstler, spokesperson for the country's Tourism Ministry.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, warned its fellow nationals about future travels in Turkey and accused Turkish people of treason during his speech on Wednesday. “Our citizens who are in Turkey could find themselves in danger”, he said.

Due to the shooting down of the Russian jet, Turkey is now experiencing a tourism industry blow, even so far it was the second preferred destination for Russian tourists.

After previously Moscow stopped air flights to Egypt, many tourists chose Turkey instead (accounting for 3.3 million Russians visiting Turkey each year). But current situation might make Israel benefit from a wave of foreign visitors that have no alternative than pick another accessible and sunny holiday destination.

As a result, Israel tries fill the void and advertises its Eilat beaches in campaigns and marketing ads on Russian television channels.

Russian tour operator TUI also opened tour packages to Goa, India, as Southeast Asia is becoming a popular tourist destination for Siberians. Nevertheless, considering that Asian destinations are far too costly for European Russia tourists and other destinations are far too risky at the moment, Israel might just remain the only affordable alternative for a warmer place Russians could to go on vacation.