Goodbye, 2017

Wow. 2017. It's been a busy year for the Israeli tourism industry, and the momentum is expected to rise, with a 24% increase in tourism projected for next year. Hotels, of course, are at the forefront of this growth, and veteran and new hotel companies alike are fighting to get a hold in the business. Over the past year, we've talked about new developments in popular tourist destinations, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Eilat, and Herzliya. 2018 will prove to be even more exciting, with international chains working on bolstering their presence here, including W Hotels (will it finally open?), Setai, Six Senses, Ibis, Tryp, Kempinski, and other well-known names. That ever-cool lifestyle brand has taken off, with Brown Hotels announcing ambitious expansion plans, particularly in Jerusalem, Dan Hotels launching its new concept, Link Hotel & Hub, and Fattal's Nyx expanding to a second hotel in Herzliya. Prima Hotels has gone the boutique route, too, with the opening of Hotel 75 in Tel Aviv (not to be confused with Atlas Hotel's Hotel 65). Plus, Prima's new Link Petach Tikva (not to be confused with Dan's Link Tel Aviv- what is it with the repetitive names?) is testing the mixed-use development with an emphasis on business travelers. For leisure-seekers, there's even talk of Club Med returning in a 600-room Sea of Galilee iteration. And of course, rumors persist about a W Jerusalem near Mahane Yehuda and a St. Regis in the construction site adjacent to the Leonardo Plaza Hotel. Of course, Israel is also known for its record-high prices for hotels, especially in relation to the often mediocre quality provided. But we've actually noticed an increase in renovations and investments in existing properties. For example, Isrotel's famed Agamim Hotel has closed down for a full renovation, and Jerusalem's David Citadel is finishing up its new guestrooms. We've also seen a new emphasis on customer service and feedback, especially in responses to guest reviews on TripAdvisor. Maybe that surly Israeli service is finally coming to an end!

So, in our hopes for 2018- we look for better prices, better service, and more hotels!