In a significant move to rejuvenate Israel’s tourism industry, Minister of Tourism Haim Katz and newly appointed Director General Michael Itzhakov convened with the Coordination Bureau of the Tourism Industry, led by industry veteran Miki Federmann. The high-level meeting focused on collaborative strategies aimed at accelerating the recovery of tourism in Israel, which has been impacted by recent challenges.
The Ministry of Tourism presented encouraging data, noting that approximately 4,000 tourists arrived in Israel on Monday alone, with nearly half coming from key source markets such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. These countries remain a focal point for the Ministry’s current marketing and outreach efforts. Additionally, Israel is actively targeting the Russian tourism market, supported by 36 weekly flights from Russia, positioning the country as a preferred destination.
Tourism officials also highlighted that the current tourist arrival figures have already exceeded the daily numbers recorded prior to the “Guardians of the Walls” military operation, indicating a promising trend in recovery.
Minister Katz emphasized the importance of unity and industry support, stating, “We will work together for tourism recovery. You know the field best, and we are here to provide you with the tools to succeed. The desire to visit Israel exists—just recently, I heard from agents and the Jewish community in the U.S. about their willingness to come to the country even during these times. We will allocate budgets wisely and deliver results. The lack of flights is a critical issue, and we are working to bring airlines back to Israel.”
In a major development, Director General Michael Itzhakov announced the launch of the second phase of Israel’s foreign worker recruitment initiative to support the hospitality sector. Starting immediately, hotels can apply for permits to hire an additional 1,350 workers from Sri Lanka for housekeeping and room attendant roles. This expansion includes small hotels with as few as 11 rooms, broadening the eligibility criteria to strengthen the workforce across the board.
Itzhakov reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and industry collaboration, saying, “The Ministry under my leadership considers the industry a full partner. We will work transparently and adapt ourselves to your needs.”
Miki Federmann closed the meeting on a hopeful note, highlighting the resilience of the Israeli tourism industry. “We are used to overcoming crises. With improving security, I am confident that tourists will return quickly.”
This proactive approach by the Ministry of Tourism, backed by industry leaders, marks a pivotal step in restoring confidence among international travelers and rebuilding Israel’s vibrant tourism economy.
