Toiviomatki currently has two groups in Israel with a total of 80 Finns.
Helsinki’s Toiviomatkat will not interrupt the trips of dozens of Finns in Israel, at least for the time being. Managing director I met Oksanen says that the matter has not even been considered.
– I have been in the country more than 200 times and I know quite well what is involved. I know the map inside out.
Oksanen adds that solutions related to flights are made by Finnair. According to Oksanen, Toiiomattak does not take part in the negotiations regarding the organization of flights.
The travel agency currently has two groups in Israel. There are 30 people in the smaller one and 50 in the bigger one.
According to the original plan, both groups were supposed to fly back to Finland on Friday, October 13. The return will almost certainly be delayed, as Finnair has canceled all its flights to Tel Aviv at least until Saturday, October 14.
– There is not the slightest hint that the groups would come in advance, says Oksanen.
“As far away from Gaza as possible”
Another group of Finns has expressed concerns about safety. One customer previously told MTVthat the tour management has downplayed the concerns.
Toiiomatkat’s Oksanen wonders about the customer’s claim.
– I was very surprised by this comment [MTV:lle]. The tour guide didn’t understand the word belittling at all when I had time to talk to him this morning.
Today, the second group will move from Bethlehem towards the city of Tiberias, which is located in northeastern Israel on the shores of Lake Gennesaret. Another group that left the Dead Sea in the morning has the same destination.
– Let’s go to an area that is as far away from Gaza as possible. Nobody is threatening Tiberias, says Oksanen.
He says that a local guide who can speak Hebrew constantly follows the announcements and asks for instructions from the police. The groups’ routes are planned according to the police’s advice.
“I’m not going to prophesy”
The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates, that unnecessary travel to Israel should be avoided. Especially to be avoided are the border area of Gaza and the border areas of Lebanon and Syria.
According to Oksanen, the organization of future trips depends on the development of the security situation and Finnair.
– After Finnair says its word, let’s move on. You don’t know how the war will develop, I’m not going to prophesy.
Among other things, Toiviomatkat, which organizes church trips to Israel, was founded in 1976. According to Oksanen, the company has taken almost 190,000 people to Israel over the years.
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