Tel Aviv, Israel – In a unique shift in tourism trends, celebrities, politicians, and influencers are now making it a point to visit towns and villages near the Gaza border during their trips to Israel. This new form of tourism has gained traction in the months following the deadly raid by Palestinian fighters on October 7.

High-profile visitors such as Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk, Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner have been spotted in these areas, often posing for photos in front of burned-out homes and damaged infrastructure.

Traditionally, dignitaries visiting Israel have included stops at significant religious and cultural landmarks such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. However, the battered kibbutzim and border towns have now become a focal point for those aiming to express solidarity and understand the impact of the ongoing conflict.

These visits serve a dual purpose: reinforcing support from international allies and reviving the tourism sector, which has been severely affected by the war in Gaza. According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of tourists in Q4 of 2023 plummeted to around 180,000, a significant drop from 930,000 in Q4 of 2022, marking an 81.5% decline.

The conflict, which saw Hamas fighters killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping around 250 in southern Israel, has left deep scars. Health officials in Gaza report over 37,000 Palestinians killed in the ensuing war.

While many of the most affected kibbutzim and towns remain closed to the general public, accessible only via organized tours or invitations from residents, other parts of southern Israel are welcoming visitors. The city of Sderot, for example, offers “resilience tours” that connect groups with survivors sharing their experiences from October 7 and highlight local cultural and culinary attractions.

Sderot has seen most of its residents return, unlike the hardest-hit kibbutzim such as Nir Oz. Further south, the site of the Nova music festival has transformed into a pilgrimage site for hundreds of daily visitors. Memorials for the victims, including photos, candles, and mementos, are prominently displayed around the former main stage.

In a nearby eucalyptus grove, the organization “Triumph of the Spirit” provides virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim. Currently, these tours are limited to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will soon be available for international tourists.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Israel’s economy, contributing about 3% and providing direct employment to around 200,000 people. However, fears of a regional escalation continue to cast a shadow over the sector’s potential revival in 2024.