ISRAEL TOURISM
March 2025
Tour Operators are Returning to Israel With major U.S. airlines planning to resume flights to Israel this spring, tour operators are cautiously arranging their return to the country
T he war between Israel and Hamas erupted after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the militant group, stalling most leisure travel to Israel. But the Jan. 19 ceasefire agreement, paired with United’s and Delta’s plans to resume daily service to Tel Aviv from the New York area starting March 15 and April 1, respectively, has revived Americans’ interest in the country. ETS Tours, a Holy Land tour
reach pre-Oct. 7 bookings in spring 2026, said business development vice president David Welch. United and Delta’s scheduled returns to Israel “reassures us in our decision to move full
Israel had 962,000 tourist arrivals, 68% lower than 2023. But December saw a 44% increase in arrivals year over year, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism. The ministry is also hoping to push the return of tourism by pumping 60 million USD into the industry to help struggling businesses and improve
“Our community is incredibly resilient, and the news of a ceasefire and the ongoing return of hostages continues to bring us hope for a peaceful future”, said Yael Golan, interim tourism commissioner to North America. “Israel’s tourism infrastructure continued to move forward during these
operator, began offering monthly departures last
steam ahead”, Welch said. Israel welcomed a record 1.3 million North American travelers in 2019. It was on track to beat that number in 2023 before the attack but ended the year with 1.1 million North American visitors. It is unclear when travel might reach prewar levels: In 2024,
spring for groups of 15 to 20 travelers. Before the Oct. 7 attack, ETS would operate up to 60 Holy Land tours a month during peak season. The company plans to begin offering regular departures in May following what it called “unprecedented” levels of interest due to pent-up demand. ETS predicts it will
tourism infrastructure. The money will fund 55 projects this year, including laser shows at a marina in Eilat and monument illumination in Jerusalem.
challenging times with the introduction of new hotels, restaurants and museum exhibits”.
14 • www.itn.co.il
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