Tourism

Tourism rises 11%

May 2019 sees record 440,000 tourists.

Government to encourage building hotels in Judea and Samaria

Tourism Ministry offers entrepreneurs grants for investments in hotels and guest units in Judea, Samaria, and Jordan Valley.

Israel’s tourism triumphs BDS: The air bridge

Amnesty against Jewish heritage sites

Amnesty report argues that tourism at these sites supports the "occupation" and is an attempt to erase Palestinian connection to the area.

Discover Israel’s southern magic this winter

Touring Israel? Time to go south, and "go further". Israel's south is much more than just Eilat and Mitzpe Rimon.

Israel turned away a record 19,000 visitors in 2018

Number of would-be visitors denied entry into Israel more than ten times higher than in 2011, hitting record high.

'Future of Israeli tourism is in Samaria'

Over 50,000 tourists visit tourist and nature sites in Samaria during holiday, many visitors from abroad.

Record year for tourism in Israel

20% increase in tourism over the previous year, including 115% in tourism from Poland.

Swiss tourism official complains about ‘Jewish guests’’ behavior

Official in Davos, Switzerland, complains to Jewish community about Jewish guests whose behavior ‘disturbs’ other visitors.

For the first time in decades: New hotels at the Dead Sea:

Tourism Ministry: El-Ad Group won tender, 400 new guest rooms will be built at Dead Sea.

Record number of tourists visit Israel in first half of 2018

2.1 million tourist entries were recorded in the first half of 2018, a 19% increase compared to same period last year.

Seeking tourists, Israel promotes a different sun and sand

Israel hopes to grow tourism in the Negev to 20% of the nation's total by 2021.

Israel becoming more popular as a tourist destination

April stats show number of tourists jumped 61% in 2 years.

Report: Tourism jumped 63% in two years

Israel's tourism industry continues to grow, injecting $577 into the economy.

Why do Israelis fly to celebrate Passover abroad?

Walter Bingham followed the rise in Israeli tourism to try to understand why more Israelis prefer to leave the country on Passover.

Airline to fly directly from Zurich to Israel

In a first, leading Swiss travel airline opens a new direct route from Zurich to Eilat.

Arab security guards attack Israeli booth in Berlin

Arab security guards verbally attack Israelis running a booth at the Berlin International Tourism Fair.

'Tourism crucial for public relations'

Netanyahu congratulates Tourism Minister Levin on the record-breaking number of tourists that visited Israel in 2017.

Tourism at all-time high in 2017

3.6 million tourists visited Israel in 2017, an all-time record, according to the Tourism Ministry.

Tourism nets Israel $4.5 billion in 2017

Tourism rises nearly 24% during November, Tourism Minister Levin credits additional flights, airlines, and better infrastructure.

Number of travelers arriving in Israel jumps 60% in October

3.3 million tourists arrive in Israel over period of 3 months, number of total visitors arriving in October rises to 464,000.

Netanyahu serves as tour guide for Israel's 3 millionth tourist

Record-setting visitor to Israel surprised to find Israeli Prime Minister serving as her tour guide in Tower of David museum.

Israel welcomes this year's 3 millionth tourist

Romanian tourist greeted at Ben Gurion Airport with festive ceremony celebrating new all-time record for incoming tourism.

Thousands visit Golan Heights during Chol Hamoed

Israelis visit northern region en masse during sukkot holiday, celebrate 50 years since Jewish return to region.

Palestinians once again provoke Israel at UN

Despite diplomatic efforts by Israel and US, UN tourism organization set to approve PA acceptance as full member.

2,546,153 travelers in Tel Aviv's airport

Ben Gurion Airport reaches record high, with far more passengers during August than authorities expected.

Special tourist visits Samaria

Congressman Keith Rothfus tours Samaria with his son, says 'everyone has to come to see the place with their own eyes.'

Ryanair launches new flight from Tel Aviv to Rome

In honor of launch, new tickets available from 17 euros per seat. Tourism Minister: Ryanair is part of our great tourism revolution.

Tourism in Israel hits record high

Tourism during first half of 2017 jumps 26%, marking record high. Tourism Minister: Expect similar stats in coming months.

East Asian supporters of Israel come to Samaria

On 50th anniversary of liberation of Jerusalem, a group of Israel supporters from East Asia visits Samaria.

50,000 tourists and one marriage proposal

Thousands of visitors flock to Samaria; Regional Council Head says the number 'grows every year.'

Tens of thousands celebrate Pesach in Samaria

Despite weather, tourists arrive to area sites: 'Exciting to see guests from Israel and around world explore entire Shomron on foot.'

Record-high levels of tourism as Passover approaches

Tourism Minister: 'This is no accident.'

Israeli tourist found dead in Nepal

20 year old Israeli tourist found dead in his hotel room in Nepal's second largest city.

February 2017 tourism 'best ever'

Tourism in January, February 25% higher than corresponding months in 2016.

Israeli tourists return to Aharon the High Priest son's grave

Tourist group to visit grave of Biblical figures for first time in years, in home village of terrorists who murdered Fogel family.

'Everyone who wants to live free needs a strong Israel'

Tourism Minister says media presents image of Israel 'very different' than reality, everyone who values democracy should support Israel.

Paris museums suffer losses after terror attacks

The Louvre, one of world's most famous museums, reported 15% decrease in visits, foreign visits dropped by 20%.

Fire on Indonesia tourist boat leaves 23 dead, dozens injured

Emergency teams rescue 200, bring 32 to hospitals after fire breaks out on Indonesia tourist boat.

German hostel: No Israelis allowed

Reservations for 4 Israeli families cancelled, with hostel initially saying Israeli guests were not welcome before retracting statement.

Historic: Jet Blue lands in Cuba today

One small step for man: The first US-Cuba commercial flight in 50 years takes off today.

A visit to Israel's giant salt cave

Watch: Breath-taking stalactites and stalagmites at the giant salt cave of 'Mount Sodom'

No entry to Jordan if you look Jewish

Israeli tourists looking to go pray at Aaron's tomb in Jordan turned back because they were wearing Yarmulkes and carried prayer shawls.

Lufthansa reports steep losses following terror wave

German airline one of several sources reporting serious damage to travel, tourism industry following recent spate of terror attacks.

New bill to combat incitement by unlicensed tour guides

Ministerial Committee for Legislation to discuss proposal to raise penalties for unlicensed tour guides; many tours give false information.

22 arrested in connection to Ataturk Airport attack

Turkey arrests 22 after Istanbul airport attack, blames ISIS. ISIS angry at Turkey for supporting Syrian Kurds. Is a border war imminent?

Coming to Israel? Come to Volunteer

Keren Pardo of the Israel Volunteer Association on how you can combine contributing to Israeli society while visiting the country.

120,000 flood Israel's parks on Shavuot

Thousands of Israelis tour the country taking advantage of the long weekend and pleasant weather.

300,000 tour Israel on final full day of Chol HaMoed

Pleasant weather at end of Chol HaMoed sees picnicking, hiking nationwide.

Amid terrorism fears, Israelis avoid Old City of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's Old City, normally bustling with visitors during Passover, sits empty as fears of terrorism linger.

50,000 flood Israel's parks on first day of Chol HaMoed

Passover kicks off with tremendous tourism; additional 18,000 people recorded at beaches along the Kinneret.

12 places you have to visit this Chol HaMoed Pesach

These sites you don't want to miss this Passover. Our list of family-fun events from North to Negev.

Israel's Biblical heartland gears up for Passover tourism influx

Binyamin Region of Samaria is bursting with incredible tourism attractions - and they want the world to know it.

Israelis offered special discounts at Greek stores

Israeli tourists offered 20% discounts at many Greek stores, as the country struggles to recover from crippling economic collapse.

For many, Israel is a geopolitical tourist destination

Some travelers to the Jewish state enjoy more than just the scenery - they are making a statement to the world and to history.

Tourism Minister gets a surprise as a Binyamin tourist

Yariv Levin gets whisked back to Biblical times during visit to Samaria region, expresses awe at the 'huge potential here.'

'Drastic' drop in Paris tourism, but still top tourist spot

In light of mass ISIS attack France sees significant drop in visitors, but many still come because 'it could happen anywhere.'

Putin's revenge: Turkish tourist industry collapsing

More than 1,300 hotels along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are up for sale as Russian sanctions bite.

What makes a luxury hotel?

It's all about attention to detail, according to the Waldorf Astoria, which is setting new standards of luxury tourism in Israel.

Will Israel benefit from Russia's Turkey tourism boycott?

With previously popular tourism hotspots Egypt and Turkey now ruled out Russian holidaymakers seek other options.