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Worked up in Haifa a few years ago doing some drilling work. After my swing was over I spent a week or so travelling, Akko, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I didnt ever really feel uncomfortable, although the bus system is a ruddy nightmare! I think you would struggle to get business accomodation for 100, but you could easily get a room somewhere more backpacker. I stayed in Jaffa which is sort of Tel Aviv and it was lovely.
Airport security is crazy though!
Ooh I dunno, those zombies got over that wall pretty easily and Brad had to do a runner..
I wouldn't feel unsafe. The issue is hotel cost. You are there for work. Staying ovrr- why should you stay somewhere cheap (for the area) to save costs.
I wonder what they are charging the client? A cheap job?..
Just had a quick look-110-150 a night buys good stuff. Ask your boss to lift it slightly. Its all life experience and current/recent knife attacker(s) have targeted Jewish citizens.
As for the ethics? Well that is another topic
Absolutely YES, definitely go. If you don't you'll regeret it for ever and the chances of anything happening are tinier than the chance of being hit by a meteorite. I've been travelling around Nigeria for 28 years twice or thrice a year for a fortnight each time and despite all the warnings I've never been attacked or had anything bad happen. Tel Aviv is a big place and you will be one very tiny person like an ant in an ant hill. Move around discretely, keep your eyes open and don't allow terrorism to change your plans.
For £100 a night I'm sure you'll find a very nice B&B or small hotel in a quiet district.
I've worked out there before, there and Lod.
We stayed In the Sheraton for the 3months, and I'm pretty sure that was more than £100..
But I'd defo say yes, just ask for a better package..
Safety wise I would not have a problem going to Tel Aviv.
We've had people visit Israel and Tel Aviv regularly over the last 20 yrs, though I've not been myself, so no problems at all. Hotel budget sounds like it could be a problem and expect to have your computers and USB drives confiscated and scanned (not sure if they're still doing that).
expect to have your computers and USB drives confiscated and scanned (not sure if they're still doing that)
I haven't had this done anytime in the last 8 years and have been most years so it shouldn't be an issue.
jam bo - Member
I'd go but not under those terms. I'd expect a company credit card, a very good insurance policy and no limit on what I could spend other than a 'don't take the piss' directive.Which as it happens, I do.
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Onzadog - Member
Jam bo, you have those things or you take the piss?
I used to work worldwide for a UK company - I had an AMEX and a VISA card with £20k limits, and could take as much cash as I wanted from accounts - usually took a few thousand in US Dollars or local currency if available.
Expenses were never questioned and we had between £25 - 30 a day extra 'sustenance' money that went in our back pocket, also an extra days holiday per Sunday away. Never managed to use all my holidays so got paid out on them as well.
Stayed in Sheratons most of the time (as I had a Sheraton points card) but could and would move about as we liked. Once had a nice apartment in Casablanca on the coast for 12months!
Used to use taxi's or if a longer job we'd hire/lease a car.
Had 2 passports in case of going to Israel and so the company could process the next countries/jobs visa quicker.
Used to save a fortune in money being away for 9-10 months of the year! Good times - now stuck in Accrington full time!
Edited to add - I'd go Israel without a 2nd thought if working for my old company - I wouldn't for yours though.
For moral reasons no
for safety concerns it would no tbe enough to stop me going
If you don't you'll regeret it for ever and the chances of anything happening are tinier than the chance of being hit by a meteorite
I declined to go and I dont regret it.
Move around discretely, keep your eyes open
I dont need to do this to avoid meteors.
FWIW only two known instances of humans being hit by a meteorite. I think we can all think of more than two incidents where folk in Israel have had something happen so its not smaller than the meteor odds but i agree its generally safe.
I've worked in Israel and flew into Tel Aviv. Didn't really enjoy it much, food is ok though, the people... hmmm.
Does your company have in your contract that you must work abroad for your job? They can't literally make you board the plane but they may use other options like disciplinary if you say no.
If I had the choice I would have said no before, and having visited I'd prefer not to go back.
Love working in France though.
I've worked in Israel and flew into Tel Aviv. Didn't really enjoy it much, food is ok though, the people... hmmm.
What was wrong with the people?
Yes absolutely.
I was happy for my daughter to travel to the Dance School there in Aug 2014 at the height of the Gaza conflict but her friend was understandably nervous to go so they cancelled and got full refunds. International visitors continued to travel there quite freely during the conflict. Things have obviously quietend down now.
As per your original post its best to avoid the busses, there hasn't been a suicide bomber for years but best not to risk it, likewise the tram stations. The city is as safe as it can be with the iron dome defence system and the border controls. Millions of tourists and business visitors travel there each year.
The hotel allowance of £100 seems very light, Israeli hotels are quite expensive and I don't think that will get you much. If you want you can email me and I'll get you some recommendations
If you are sensitive about travelling to other Arab / Middle East countries in the future then you can ask them not to stamp your passport. Israel dosen't mind you travelling to other Arab countries but some Arab countries won't admit you if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport.
If you want to get a sense of the place have a watch on bbc iiPlayer of Great Continentsl Train Journeys. [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tqk1l ]link[/url]
I flew to Johannesburg during the first Gulf war annd the 'plane was almost empty so everybody got pushed forward and I ended up in first class! I had a flat bed with a duvet and slept like a baby for seven hours.
find out about concessionary rates for hotels. a lot of the larger chains do deals for organisations nearby that have lots of visitors. for example a holiday inn in greenwich would take a room down from 140 quid to 90 for a business i used to visit regularly there. just give them a call and ask if they do a rate for the organisation you're slated to see.
I should add to my above statement.
I would go there on personal time.
How ever i treat business different an the risks im prepared to take for company gain should be compensated fairly.
The risk of israel is statistically higher than that for going to home office.
Does not compute to do that for the same money.
Fwiw ive worked around africa /middle east and fsu and the protocol for somewhere new is. Whos your driver what does he look like whats his number - what hotel have you booked me into ?
If you can't increase the accommodation budget, i would not go for a large hotel as 100 GBP doesn't get you too far. You could however get very decent accommodation for that budget via AirBnb, which is widely used in Tel aviv. -for example:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/69886?s=QJ3k ]
There are many more options on the site for your budget.
In terms of Taxis, a taxi anywhere around town should be no more than 10 GBP. There is a smartphone app called GetTaxi, with enough taxis signed up to ensure you will get a cab within 5 mins from more or less anywhere. Otherwise they are usually quite easy to flag. Always insist on 'monet' (ie meter) rather than set fee if you're offered
In terms of security checks at the airport, if you're company has a contact in Israel that can vouch for your visit, they can fax a security form to the airport which will make security a lot easier for you. otherwise, just expect a lot of questions especially if its your first visit.
May and June are the best times to come in terms of weather. 25 to 30 degrees, no rain, and not too hot.
I've worked in Israel and flew into Tel Aviv. Didn't really enjoy it much, food is ok though, the people... hmmm.What was wrong with the people?
I generally found them rude and unfriendly. I know things are a bit different there, manners wise, but several things just left me speechless and uncomfortable.
If you are sensitive about travelling to other Arab / Middle East countries in the future then you can ask them not to stamp your passport. Israel dosen't mind you travelling to other Arab countries but some Arab countries won't admit you if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport.
When I went they defaulted to give me a piece of paper separate to my passport, as opposed to a stamp on the actual pages, you need to show it when returning also.
added that my company mentioned above was/is involved with chemical processing equipment.