Israel/Palestine

bemildred

(90,061 posts) Sun Jul 19, 2015, 06:29 AM Jul 2015

Thousands of Sinkholes Threaten Dead Sea's Tourism Industry

MITZPE SHALEM, West Bank — The Dead Sea is dying. Thousands of sinkholes have opened up around the historic tourist destination, turning some areas into a treacherous landscape resembling a giant Swiss cheese.

As many as 5,000 sinkholes have appeared since the 1980s, often swallowing buildings and roads in their path without warning. The situation has become so dire that 400 sinkholes are now reported around the body of water every year — a rate of more than one per day.

So far there have been no confirmed injuries linked to the cavities, which can measure 80 feet in diameter.

But last month, a sinkhole materialized overnight at Mineral Beach, a resort in the Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. It engulfed the parking lot along with with treatment rooms and several palm trees.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/sinkholes-threaten-israels-dead-sea-tourist-trade-n392461

4 replies

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Thousands of Sinkholes Threaten Dead Sea's Tourism Industry (Original Post) bemildred Jul 2015 OP

It is the lowest point on the planet, isn't it ? orpupilofnature57 Jul 2015 #1

I believe so. nt bemildred Jul 2015 #2

Other factors in Israel's declining tourism industry. Divernan Jul 2015 #3

Mitzpe Shalem is one of the illegal settlements in the West Bank. Little Tich Jul 2015 #4

orpupilofnature57

(15,472 posts)

1. It is the lowest point on the planet, isn't it ?

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Sun Jul 19, 2015, 06:33 AM

Jul 2015

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

2. I believe so. nt

Reply to orpupilofnature57 (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 19, 2015, 06:36 AM

Jul 2015

Divernan

(15,480 posts)

3. Other factors in Israel's declining tourism industry.

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Sun Jul 19, 2015, 07:26 AM

Jul 2015

Every two years, the World Economic Forum releases a comprehensive 500-page report, which assesses 140 economies worldwide based on the extent to which they are putting in place the factors and policies to make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector.

The Forum is assisted by research institutes around the world, examines a series of indicators and, after processing them, determines the location and attractiveness of the reviewed countries.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.655832

Israel drops in tourism rankings due to high prices and security concerns
The 2015 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index places Israel at 72 out of 141 countries. Spain, France and Germany top the list.
By Haaretz | May 10, 2015 | 9:20 PM

Israel has dropped to place 72 – out of 141 countries – in the 2015 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index published by the World Economic Forum. High prices and security concerns were the main factors behind Israel's drop. In the last report, published in 2013, Israel was in place 53, meaning that it has dropped a massive 19 places in two years.

In the Middle East region, Israel ranked seventh, down from third in the previous report. This time around, it ranked after the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The main factor dragging Israel down was price competitiveness, in which it ranked 136 out of 141 countries. Also low were its rankings for environmental sustainability, safety and security and international openness.

Similar to other countries in the region, Israel’s tourism is affected by concerns about safety and security (99th), terrorism (130st) and instability from conflict.

Little Tich

(6,171 posts)

4. Mitzpe Shalem is one of the illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Mon Jul 20, 2015, 03:59 AM

Jul 2015

It definitely shouldn't be there, and there should definitely not be any stealing of resources. The removal of Mitzpe Shalem would probably improve the situation.

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