Israel tourism

Travelers are seen in the arrival hall of Ben Gurion International Airport, on June 30, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

July 10, 2021, 11:38 pm

Israel said likely to delay reopening borders to most tourists until September

Jerusalem attempting to speed up next shipment from Pfizer as doses set to expire; officials mull return to socially distanced ‘capsules’ in schools; 700 new cases over weekend

By TOI staff

View of the Herod's Palace hotel in Eilat on October 11, 2019. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)

June 29, 2021, 7:31 pm

Tourism Ministry cancels domestic tourism ad campaign over high hotel prices

Minister Yoel Razvozov says he is working to convince hotels to lower prices and to compile a list of those offering discounts

By Amy Spiro

Travelers at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on April 18, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

June 12, 2021, 3:37 am

Israel sees record number of travelers at airport since pre-COVID

Some 22,500 people pass through Ben Gurion Airport in a day, mostly Israelis traveling abroad, with Israel likely to let individual tourists in again at end of month

By TOI staff

Passengers walk in the arrivals hall at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on March 8, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

June 10, 2021, 11:22 pm

Israel plans to allow individual tourists back into the country starting July 1

With okay already given to groups, interior minister recommends speedy entry process for those inoculated against coronavirus — from certain countries

By Stuart Winer and TOI staff

Theology students from Missouri, the first vaccinated tour group to visit Israel in over a year, at Ben Gurion Airport, May 27, 2021. (Michael Dimenstein/GPO)

May 28, 2021, 8:43 am

Tourism Ministry welcomes US theology students as 1st tour group in over a year

Ministry greets vacationers with flowers and mandatory COVID-19 tests; new program aims to gradually reopen county’s borders

By TOI staff

A view of the Supreme Court building from the Wohl Rose Park in Jerusalem, April 2021. (Shmuel Bar-Am)

May 22, 2021, 7:59 am

Majestic architecture and delicate flora make Jerusalem’s Givat Ram a must-see

In addition to housing the Israeli parliament, the neighborhood boasts the architecturally magnificent Supreme Court building and the aromatic Wohl Rose Park, the largest in Israel

By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am

Israeli exhibitors receive visitors at their stand on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market exhibition, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

May 17, 2021, 8:10 pm

Israel promotes tourism in Dubai, even amid ongoing conflict with Gaza

‘We are talking about the future,’ says Tourism Ministry official at UAE Travel Market. ‘This escalation, it will finish one day’

By AP and TOI staff

Israelis on the beach in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2020. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

From the WebMay 7, 2021, 6:15 am

After virus, more UK tourists now considering Israel as a destination — poll

Survey for UK Jewish News indicates Israel only country to see an increase in those wishing to visit, with many impressed by vaccine drive

By Justin Cohen

May 5, 2021, 2:23 pm

Daily Briefing May 5 – Lapid, Bennett… Rivlin: Who will get president’s vote?

Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today

By TOI staff

May 5, 2021, 1:17 pm

Israel to open its borders to tour groups from 14 destinations this month

Starting May 23, tourists from US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong can visit if vaccinated

By TOI staff

Israelis enjoy the beach in Tel Aviv on a hot spring day, April 19, 2021 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

April 27, 2021, 7:15 pm

Israel plans to reopen to tourists in May, eyes travelers from UAE

But Health Ministry recommends program be postponed until June, citing India variant

By TOI staff

Resting from the climb after reaching the top of Tel Tzafit. (Shmuel Bar-Am)

April 24, 2021, 10:24 am

Stunning views from Goliath’s hometown show its ancient strategic importance

The rocky ascent to Tel Tzafit, thought to be the biblical city of Gath, is dotted with colorful foliage leading to a panoramic lookout over the length and breadth of the Holy Land

By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am

Illustrative: Taglit Birthright participants visit at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on August 18, 2014 (Flash90)

April 13, 2021, 3:21 pm

Israel to let tour groups in for 1st time since pandemic began, starting May 23

‘It’s time Israel’s unique advantage as a safe and healthy country starts to assist’ in the recovery of its economy, says tourism minister; PCR and antibody tests required

By TOI staff

April 9, 2021, 12:14 pm

Health Ministry weighing permits to allow tourist groups back into Israel

Unnamed official notes political sensitivities surrounding recognition of vaccination passes from nations using shots not approved by Israel, such as UAE’s use of Chinese doses

By TOI staff

File: View of the marina in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, December 20, 2012. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)

March 29, 2021, 11:39 pm

Sinai crossing to open Tuesday as Israelis flock to Eilat hotels for Passover

Southern resort city returns to semblance of normalcy; Egypt destination to allow in 300 Israelis a day — with pre-travel approval and virus tests even for the vaccinated

By TOI staff