Tourism Ministry

IMTM 2026 draws bigger crowds as Israel tests the first steps of tourism’s return

At the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) 2026, the change was evident from the outset.There was a steady current of visitors moving between booths, and the exchanges felt purposeful.

|ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE
People visit a tourism conference at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in Tel Aviv, on February 3, 2026.
Ben Gurion Airport

Israel turns to Christian pilgrims, diaspora ties, AI to reboot post-war tourism

Government officials believe Christian pilgrims, Evangelical travelers, and Jewish communities overseas can form the backbone of a gradual recovery, even as broader tourism remains constrained.

|ByPESACH BENSON/TPS
Airplanes at the Ben Gurion International airport. February 11, 2026.

Israel prepared for evacuation of tourists in event of Iran attack, says Tourism Ministry head

“If and when the skies close, we have the means, and all the managers know what to do in that moment,” Director-General of the Tourism Ministry, Michael Izhakov, said.

|By103FM
TRAVELERS COME and go at Ben-Gurion Airport last month

Tourism rebounds with 1.3 million visitors in 2025, led by US, France and UK

The leading countries of origin were the United States with 400,000 tourists, followed by France with 159,000 and the United Kingdom with 95,000.

|ByJOHN BENZAQUEN

Three Israeli villages selected as candidates for UN Tourism Org ‘Best Tourism Villages 2022’

The villages of Kfar Kama in the Lower Galilee, Neot Smadar in the southern Negev, and Zippori were selected out of 17 potential candidates.

JUNE 16, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Zippori gallery 465 6

Tourism Ministry to use NIS 300m. on upgrading Israel's tourist infrastructure

The ministry aims to increase incoming tourism to reach its goal of 10 million incoming tourists a year.

JUNE 15, 2022ByZACHY HENNESSEY
Travellers stand in line to check-in at Ben Gurion International Airport, on June 13, 2022.

Christian travelers: Everything you need to know to visit Israel

Opinion: Christine Darg takes you step by step through the entry process.

MARCH 31, 2022ByCHRISTINE DARG
Restarting tourism: Israel welcomes first foreign group since March 2020

Why I love Israel. It's not about Armageddon

Opinion: "I wanted our people to hear your story," writes Pastor Greg Laurie.

MARCH 7, 2022ByPASTOR GREG LAURIE
The Tel Aviv beach – before the pandemic.

Only 7% of Evangelicals have been to Israel - survey 

Some 40% of Evangelicals are "extremely interested" in visiting the country.

MARCH 4, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A South Korean delegation at the Feast of Tabernacles

Tour guides skeptical of Tourism Ministry’s latest effort to revive industry

The Tourism Ministry has committed to grant a NIS 25 million budget for guided tours for the general public by hiring qualified tour guides.

FEBRUARY 2, 2022ByZACHY HENNESSEY
Independent business owners and workers from the tourism sector protest, calling for financial support from the Israeli government, outside the Ben Gurion International Airport, on December 13, 2021

Tourism Ministry back to work as NIS 25 million is allocated to tours for general public

"This is the first step towards the tour guides’ return to employment - something that has not happened for nearly two years."

FEBRUARY 1, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Left to right: Chair of the Israel Tour Guides Association Ganit Peleg, Tourism Ministry Director-General Dani Shahar and Acting CEO, Israel Nature and Parks Authority Raya Shurki in the Tourism Ministry offices.

Israel launches site to keep tourists updated on COVID-19 restrictions

Following the reopening of Israel's skies, the Tourism Ministry took the initiative to launch a COVID-19 information center for incoming tourists.

JANUARY 10, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Tourism Ministry's new landing page for news on tourism in Israel amid COVID-19

Israel's Bennett pushes tourism industry assistance package

The joint assistance package comes amid new restrictions and worries regarding the novel Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

DECEMBER 16, 2021ByBEN ZION GAD
Tourists look at a mobile phone as they stand at an observation point overlooking the Dome of the Rock and Jerusalem's Old City

How to bring our tourists back safely - opinion

Tourists were extremely regulated and restricted as most imported mutations came from returning Israelis, such as Israelis returning from Uman.

OCTOBER 10, 2021ByELIANA AARON
TRAVELERS WALK through Ben-Gurion Airport earlier this year.