OT: SDV is closing
Jul 2, 2019, 8:25 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
As an unapologetic Zionist, with all due respect, Eilat is a dump.
I see no point in spending billions to build a HSR there, to line the pockets of some hotel developers who charge way too much for substandard accommodations.
Having said that, its sad that SDV is closed, as it was a nice little airport.
I see no point in spending billions to build a HSR there, to line the pockets of some hotel developers who charge way too much for substandard accommodations.
Having said that, its sad that SDV is closed, as it was a nice little airport.
Jul 2, 2019, 8:43 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
At least I got to fly SDV-ETH 3 years ago one last time. One thing that I would say is that now that all flights to Eilat are from TLV, if I were Israir, I'd try to offer codeshares on TLV-ETM for every airline other than LY and Arkia that fly to TLV. Would be a great way to get more people connecting through TLV on their way to/from Eilat.
I do agree however that flying to Eilat doesn't make economic sense for a family when they can often fly abroad and have it be cheaper due to the overpriced hotels in Eilat.
I do agree however that flying to Eilat doesn't make economic sense for a family when they can often fly abroad and have it be cheaper due to the overpriced hotels in Eilat.
Jul 2, 2019, 9:46 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
At least I got to fly SDV-ETH 3 years ago one last time. One thing that I would say is that now that all flights to Eilat are from TLV, if I were Israir, I'd try to offer codeshares on TLV-ETM for every airline other than LY and Arkia that fly to TLV. Would be a great way to get more people connecting through TLV on their way to/from Eilat.
Jul 2, 2019, 2:19 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
- Demand exceeds supply
- That demand is pushed by people who feel that they are "saving" by staying in the country and/or people looking for Kosher places
- Hotels in Israel, in general, have higher cost structures than hotels overseas
Jul 2, 2019, 9:31 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
My theory is that part of it is due to the massive amount of free or almost free vacations a large part of the population gets each year (nofesh keva, employees at Teva/teachers/etc.). It surely fills many rooms.
Jul 3, 2019, 12:59 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 461
As an unapologetic Zionist, with all due respect, Eilat is a dump.
I see no point in spending billions to build a HSR there, to line the pockets of some hotel developers who charge way too much for substandard accommodations.
Having said that, its sad that SDV is closed, as it was a nice little airport.
I see no point in spending billions to build a HSR there, to line the pockets of some hotel developers who charge way too much for substandard accommodations.
Having said that, its sad that SDV is closed, as it was a nice little airport.
Some ways to change is to lift restrictions on hotels, allow gambling and provide an easy way to get there and from there - with an HSR.
Jul 3, 2019, 3:07 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: *A
Posts: 1,390
Eilat is indeed a dump. It is a dump because the hotels are horrible. And the hotels are horrible because they are kosher and serve substandard food, and because they provide substandard service in cleaning and maintenance of hardware, furniture and public areas. It is a dump because it offers little beyond the beach. Eilat is Yerucham with a seashore.
Some ways to change is to lift restrictions on hotels, allow gambling and provide an easy way to get there and from there - with an HSR.
Some ways to change is to lift restrictions on hotels, allow gambling and provide an easy way to get there and from there - with an HSR.
Jul 3, 2019, 4:13 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 461
Now Eilat being a dump does not draw significant non-Jewish tourism, hence there is a large demand for kosher. It is a closed circle.
Jul 3, 2019, 5:03 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Paris, France
Programs: El Al Matmid, Air France Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 2,294
BATLV, I disagree with you concerning the Kosher food.
The food, although reheated, is still decent on Shabbat, especially Friday evenings. And if you don’t like it, Eilat offers non Kosher restaurants.
To be honest, while overpriced and sometimes crowded, I don’t get what is so horrible about Eilat hotels.
The food, although reheated, is still decent on Shabbat, especially Friday evenings. And if you don’t like it, Eilat offers non Kosher restaurants.
To be honest, while overpriced and sometimes crowded, I don’t get what is so horrible about Eilat hotels.
Jul 3, 2019, 5:08 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
One of the reasons is that they do not cook on Friday nights and Saturdays. So you get heated and not fresh food. For the same price of course. I am not an expert but there is some kind of regulation that requires major hotels in Israel to keep kosher. I think the only exceptions are a few boutique hotels in Tel Aviv and Arab owned and operated hotels such as the American Colony in Jerusalem (which is an amazing hotel, speaking of).
Now Eilat being a dump does not draw significant non-Jewish tourism, hence there is a large demand for kosher. It is a closed circle.
Now Eilat being a dump does not draw significant non-Jewish tourism, hence there is a large demand for kosher. It is a closed circle.
I think what ruins Eilat is the corporate package tour machines that drive low-mid level employees of Israeli corporates to 3-4 day family vacations there. I have been a guest for some of them and they can be quite eye-opening in terms of the guests and their behavior. There are hotels in Eilat I would not return to because of this.
Interestingly I have found AirBnB rates in Eilat to be quite reasonable so clearly it isn't so much of a supply/demand issue of Eilat.
Jul 3, 2019, 6:05 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 461
BATLV, I disagree with you concerning the Kosher food.
The food, although reheated, is still decent on Shabbat, especially Friday evenings. And if you don’t like it, Eilat offers non Kosher restaurants.
To be honest, while overpriced and sometimes crowded, I don’t get what is so horrible about Eilat hotels.
The food, although reheated, is still decent on Shabbat, especially Friday evenings. And if you don’t like it, Eilat offers non Kosher restaurants.
To be honest, while overpriced and sometimes crowded, I don’t get what is so horrible about Eilat hotels.
Jul 3, 2019, 6:10 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 461
Just about every hotel in Israel is Kosher including the King David, the Waldorf Astoria, the Intercontinental, etc. and none of these make Tel Aviv hotels bad per se.
I think what ruins Eilat is the corporate package tour machines that drive low-mid level employees of Israeli corporates to 3-4 day family vacations there. I have been a guest for some of them and they can be quite eye-opening in terms of the guests and their behavior. There are hotels in Eilat I would not return to because of this.
Interestingly I have found AirBnB rates in Eilat to be quite reasonable so clearly it isn't so much of a supply/demand issue of Eilat.
I think what ruins Eilat is the corporate package tour machines that drive low-mid level employees of Israeli corporates to 3-4 day family vacations there. I have been a guest for some of them and they can be quite eye-opening in terms of the guests and their behavior. There are hotels in Eilat I would not return to because of this.
Interestingly I have found AirBnB rates in Eilat to be quite reasonable so clearly it isn't so much of a supply/demand issue of Eilat.
The packages you are talking about encompass ALL of Eilat's hotels. And, yes, those friends of mine who did not give up on Eilat completely as I had, go for AirBnBs with pools and nice view. They make their own food and do not leave the place, because the other problem of Eilat is that you have nothing to do there outside the pool/beach.