Israel and Middle East Backpacking- Vision to Reality - Yaron Burgin from Abraham Hostels Jerusalem

1. Israel & Middle East Backpacking -
Vision to Reality
Yaron Burgin
Nov 2012

2. Outline
 Vision (2007)
 Target market
 Cause & Effect
 Israel for FIT’s
 Reality - Fulfilling The dream (2012)
 Hostels
 Tours & activities
 Middle East Cooperation
 Information, marketing & PR
 Looking into the future

3. Global Backpackers
Yaron Burgin
Gal Mor
Maoz Inon

4. Who They Are?
 FIT’s – Foreign Independent Travelers
 Backpackers, Couples & Families

5. Unique Crowd
 Experienced travelers
 Rapidly growing
 20% of all international visitors
 Using local resources
 Creating a better image
 Spending more money
 1000$-6000$ per trip
Look for a meaningful
travel experience

6. Cause & Effect
 It’s not all about security
 Travel to “hot” destinations
 Ireland, Thailand, New-Zealand
 Lack of information!
 Local market focusing on group travel
Israel was not
“on the map”

7. Israel for FIT’s - Huge Variety

8. Israel for FIT’s - Huge Variety

9. Israel for FIT’s
 Relatively lower costs  Cross region trip

10. Required Services
Information
Transportation Attractions
Accommodation

11. Fulfilling The Dream
 Turning Israel into a destination
 Following other models
 Word of mouth
Create success in small
figures,
the rest will follow

12. And today?

13. Statistics
 Total visitors to Israel in 2012 ~3.5M
 About 40% are FIT’s
 Since 2007:
 20 new Hostels/Guesthouses have opened, all offering
dorms
 300% increase in online bookings

14. Handful Of Information

15. Independent Hostel Network
 Established in 2007
 Set the standard for hostel accommodation in Israel
 Dorm bed max 100 ILS
 30 hostels in prime locations
 Follow successful models
 New-Zealand, Ireland, Germany

16. More than a bed to sleep in!

17. Joining forces
 Over 2500 beds around the country
 ILH Hostel Guide – Free!
 50,000 copies every year
 Wide distribution
 ILH Website
 Online Booking
 Useful information
 5% to book your next hostel
 Registered Non-Profit (NGO)

18. Abraham Hostels
 Hostel chain in major hubs
 Israel’s largest private hostel
 230 beds, 72 rooms
 90% average occupancy
 Award winning hostel
 Wide range of facilities
 Daily Events & activities

19. Abraham Tours
 Daily tours to Israel, The West Bank, Jordan&Egypt
 Independent Information center
 Car / phone/ bicycle rentals

20. Promoting Middle East trips
 Free dorm bed in Fauzi Azar Inn & Abraham
Hostel if traveled in Syria/Lebanon

21. Promoting Middle East trips
 Cooperating with West
Bank & Jordanian Hostels
 Hop-on Hop-off Bus

22. PR & Marketing
 Hosting leading travel bloggers
 Local & International Media

23. Tradeshows & Conferences

24. Future plans?
 Expanding the hostel network to other countries in
the Middle East
 Hop-on Hop-off cross country
 Smartphone apps for tours
 Travel passes

25. The Dream Team

26. Thank You!