Collette refunds all travellers booked on tours to Israel for first half of 2024

With the Israel-Gaza conflict still active, one tour operator has made the call to cancel departures to the once-vibrant Middle Eastern country. 

Collette announced Tuesday (Dec. 19) that all travellers who were booked on departures to Israel through the first half of 2024 will be refunded in full. 

As well, any travel advisor who booked travellers during this period will keep all advanced commissions paid from those bookings. 

 "In order to ensure the safety and flexibility of its travellers, Collette has made the careful decision to cancel all tour departures to Israel through June 30, 2024," the company wrote in a statement. "The price paid for the tour, flights, and insurance will be refunded to any traveler who was booked on tour traveling during that timeframe, at the time of cancelation." 

READ MORE: IMOT Canada team shares update on "fluid" situation in Israel, future tourism strategy

In a statement, Jeff Roy, executive vice president at Collette, said the company "always prioritizes the safety and time of its travellers, which is why we have made the early decision cancel all departures to Israel through June 30, 2024." 

“We understand that by making this decision now, it allows our travellers and advisors to begin planning alternative travel arrangements for 2024.” 

Lufthansa Group announces return

Major airlines and tour operators pulled out of Israel in October following the Hamas terrorist attacks and the subsequent outbreak of war in Gaza.

One major airline company, however, has recently announced a plan to return to the conflicted region. 

Earlier this week, Lufthansa Group’s airlines announced a plan to resume flights to Israel in early January after being suspended in October. 

The European aviation giant said it will restore service to Tel Aviv from Jan. 8 in a phased plan, which will initially see its airlines operating 20 weekly flights to Israel, which represents around 30 per cent of its regular schedule.

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