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Israel tourism

People at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, July 21, 2022. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
'Tourists actually love the noise and crowds'
Revamp of Jerusalem’s historic Mahane Yehuda market aims to bring it up to date without selling out
By Zev Stub
Sweeping renovation planned for 2027 will replace aging infrastructure, while planners work to preserve the local charm that draws millions of shoppers and visitors each year
Illustrative: Airplanes at Ben Gurion Airport. February 11, 2026. (Nati Shohat/FLASH90)
February 27, 2026, 9:40 am
As Israel plans two new airports, experts say proposed site near Gaza won’t fly
With Ben Gurion set to reach capacity within years, international terminals are planned for the north’s Ramat David and the south’s Ziklag. Only one is grounded in common sense, analysts say
By Sharon Wrobel
Members of a group walk the Way to Jerusalem's fourth stretch, from Latrun to Abu Ghosh, November 6, 2025. (Avi Friedman)
February 7, 2026, 5:49 am
Trading security for spirituality, former official co-launches pilgrimage route to Jerusalem
After an epiphany on a dreary morning, Golan Rice quits El Al job, sets out to co-found the Way to Jerusalem for pilgrims from all walks of life to form connections and share stories
By Sue Surkes
Tourism Minister Haim Katz (middle) and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (first on the right) at the opening ceremony of the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) fair in Tel Aviv, Feb. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of Ronen Horesh)
February 4, 2026, 11:35 am
Israel banks on Christian pilgrims and faith-based travel to drive tourism recovery
Tourism Ministry plans a digital campaign geared to Evangelicals and pro-Israel communities; AI app for Holy Land trips launches with support of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee
By Sharon Wrobel
A general view shows the Dead Sea in the Israeli resort town of Ein Bokek on October 18, 2024. (AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
November 16, 2025, 9:31 pm
Dead Sea ranked second-worst of 101 top world tourist destinations
Unsafe roads, isolation from airports, and conflict-ridden neighborhood ‘significantly impact visitor satisfaction,’ says tourism site
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Passengers arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, September 24, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
November 3, 2025, 5:04 pm
Winds of war begin to calm, but tourists unlikely to rush back immediately
The tourism industry is desperate for a rebound, and bringing back visitors beyond pilgrims and solidarity missions will require overhauling Israel’s image, experts caution
By Sharon Wrobel
Nelia and Gregory Shaver of Grineli Cheeses, their boutique cheesemaking business that they opened in the Golan Heights on October 6, 2023, the day before the October 7 Hamas attack (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)
July 12, 2025, 7:28 am
As winds of war die down, Golan gears up for long-awaited return of tourists
With Hezbollah licking its wounds and Syria no longer a threat, businesses are hoping Israelis will again flock to land of lavender farms, glamping, wineries and artisanal cheese
By Jessica Steinberg
Birthright participants doing a nature activity in the Negev after their visits were indefinitely extended due to Israel's war with Iran, June 2025. (Birthright Israel)
June 17, 2025, 2:37 am
All part of the birthright? Tour groups stranded in Israel hunker down amid missile fire
With skies closed since start of conflict with Iran, participants in Birthright and other trips struggle with nervous families and unknown timelines while sheltering from rocket attacks
By Zev Stub
Young Jewish adults hike up Masada near the Dead Sea during their 10-day Birthright trip. (courtesy)
April 13, 2025, 8:33 am
‘Transformative’: After 25 years, has Birthright Israel really reshaped US Jewry?
Analysts debate the successes – and failings – of the iconic Jewish heritage trip as it surpasses 900,000 young adults brought on free visits to Israel, over a quarter of a century
By Zev Stub
A pillbox on Hebron Road in Jerusalem. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
September 14, 2024, 7:27 am
See the British Mandate era pillboxes that dot Israel, evoking its checkered past
The cement guard posts, so-called because of their cylindrical shape, represent an intriguing and often beautiful piece of pre-state Israeli history
By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am
Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market stands largely empty, on August 4, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 26, 2024, 2:21 pm
Israel’s economy in grave danger as Gaza war drags on, economists warn
Experts say economy cannot survive much longer as fighting with Hamas has stalled tourism, forced small businesses to shut, slowed down shipping and raised deficit
By Agencies
A view of Jerusalem's Jaffa Road in 2024. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
July 27, 2024, 8:37 am
Explore the rich architectural history of Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road – while it lasts
As demolitions and skyscrapers forever alter the landscape around the capital’s first paved street outside the Old City, the time to explore its hidden treasures is running out
By Aviva Bar-Am
Israelis walk by a large billboard reading 'Israel is strong and will win' on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, January 17, 2024. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
July 26, 2024, 9:58 am
On Tel Aviv’s once-bustling Dizengoff, business owners lament another casualty of war
After tourism drops by roughly 75% since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October, vendors say costs are up as sales are down — and they see no bailout on the horizon
By Jennifer Korn
The Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv in an undated photo. (Mike Yudin)
July 25, 2024, 11:03 am
Abraham Group become 1st Israeli chain certified by Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Group’s four hostels rewarded by US-based organization for commitment to sustainability, supporting local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and protecting environment
By Sue Surkes
A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the home of the Siman Tov family in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Friday, June 21, 2024. The parents and three children were killed and their home was torched by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
June 24, 2024, 11:01 am
Sites of devastation from Oct. 7 attack new essential stop for Israel’s visitors
Politicians visit kibbutzim as show of solidarity; hundreds of soldiers participate daily in virtual reality tours; Birthright sends nearly all participants to Nova massacre site
By AP
Hermon CEO Refael Nave has been on military reserve duty since the outbreak of Israel's October 7 war. He's also a member of the security squad in his hometown of Neve Ativ, in the foothills of the Hermon, pictured here on April 4, 2024. (Uriel Heilman/ JTA)
April 21, 2024, 6:20 am
Israel’s canceled ski season reveals how war is wreaking economic hardship in the north
The only place in Israel to get regular snow, Mount Hermon had 400,000 visitors in winter 2022-23; under threat of Hezbollah rocket fire this year it saw the number plunge to zero
By Uriel Heilman
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