The infrastructure is well developed and tourism, in which there has been considerable investment, has become an important sector of the economy. The economy has performed relatively well during the 1990s in the wake of economic reforms introduced at the beginning of the decade and including deregulation and some privatisation. This has been despite opposition from the Histadrut , Israel's powerful trades union movement. Trade with both South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region is also growing rapidly. Business can be frustrating, as in many instances it is difficult to get a direct reply to a question.
Appointments are usual, as is the use of business cards.
Normal courtesies should be observed, although business meetings tend to be less formal than in Britain. Business hours vary owing to the different religions practised. Some offices are open half day on Friday. Apart from hotels and the convention centres in Jerusalem, Eliat and Tel Aviv, opportunities exist to hold meetings in kibbutzim. Exhibitors include national tourism associations, regional associations, hotels, car rental companies, airlines, cruise lines, tour bus companies, etc., from Israel and abroad.