ISRAEL TOURISM
February 2026
RESILIENCE, INNOVATION, AND OPEN DOORS: AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL IZHAKOV
The Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism discusses the roadmap for recovery, massive
To our partners overseas: Israel is a place of unmatched history and vibrant life. We are waiting for you with open arms. To our local entrepreneurs: Use us. The Ministry is your partner.
infrastructure investment, and why 2026 is the year to return to the Holy Land
A s the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) kicks off, all eyes are on the future of Israeli tourism. At the center of this vision is Michael Izhakov, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism. With a diverse background in high- level government policy - having served as a senior advisor to the Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs and as Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Tourism - Izhakov brings a results-oriented approach to one of Israel’s most vital economic sectors. Mr. Izhakov, you assumed leadership during one of the most complex periods in Israel’s history. Looking back at the last two and a half years, how would you summarize this journey? It has been a period of unprecedented challenges, but also of unprecedented action. When the war began, Minister Haim Katz made a strategic decision: the Ministry of Tourism took full responsibility for the displacement of 130,000 residents into hotels. By managing this directly rather than through external agents, we saved the state billions of Shekels while simultaneously keeping the hotel industry alive. We injected 7 billion ILS directly into hotels, ensuring that tens of thousands of families in the tourism sector remained employed. We didn’t just manage a crisis; we preserved the very infrastructure of Israeli hospitality so it would be ready for the day the tourists return.
Many international travelers are wondering about the practical steps being taken to welcome them back. What are your primary plans for restoring inbound tourism? Our message is clear: Israel is safe, open, and ready. We are active at every major global forum - from FITUR in Madrid to ITB Berlin and WTM London. We are there to meet face-to-face with operators and tell them that the “product” of Israel is stronger than ever. Specifically, we are launching three major initiatives: “Talking Tourism”: A cutting-edge project using advanced technology to create 100 high-quality videos of our most iconic sites. These will be integrated into an interactive map, allowing tourists to plan their entire journey and hear the narrative of Israel from their own homes. Tailored Marketing : We are moving toward “door-to-door” marketing in North America, focusing on communities - both Jewish and Christian - who have a deep, soul-connection to this land.
4 • www.itn.co.il
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