After the crazy month of August, with a surprisingly large number of people going abroad, Issta estimates that the positive momentum will continue also during the High Holidays.

Ronen Caraso, Issta's Deputy Marketing Director, estimates that over 300,000 Israelis will be flying abroad over the High Holidays, half of them during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and the other half during Succoth.  This number is identical to that of last year.

Carasu says that there was a drop of 12% during the first half of the year of people going abroad, but this stopped in July and in August there was even a 7% increase of travelers abroad.

The main reason for the change is the positive economic feeling about the market and the end of the recession.  At the beginning of the year there was great pessimism which badly influenced travel abroad.  The atmosphere has since changed and this is seen in the number of passengers traveling abroad during August and the estimated amount of people who will be going abroad over the High Holidays.

Moreover, it is advantageous this year that the Holidays are taking place earlier on in the year which means that the weather in Mediterranean countries will be pleasant (Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Bulgaria).  Trips are divided between short visits to clubs in West and Eastern Europe and for longer visits to places like Thailand, New York, and South America for periods of between two and three weeks.

Prices for flights to Europe and cheap holiday deals are cheaper by 20% to prices of last year.  The more expensive trips are during Hol Hamoed Succoth.  For those who want to enjoy cheaper prices, travel between the High Holidays or at Rosh Hashana.