Israel Targets Pre-War Tourist Inflow from India by 2027
Israel expects tourist arrivals from India to return to pre-war levels by 2027, driven by stronger marketing, better air connectivity, streamlined visa processes, and closer bilateral ties, a senior tourism official said on Saturday.
Speaking in Panaji, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing at the Israel Ministry of Tourism, told PTI that Israel had witnessed one of its strongest tourism recoveries after the COVID-19 pandemic before the conflict in Gaza interrupted its growth.
“Around 69,100 Indian visitors travelled to Israel in 2019, while nearly 44,000 visited between January and September 2023, before the war,” she said. “Our recovery following the pandemic was among the strongest across our key source markets, and we were on track to match, or even surpass, pre-pandemic arrival levels.”
Had the conflict not interrupted this momentum, Bangera said, Israel would have been well on its way to welcoming over 1,00,000 Indian visitors annually. She described the current situation as a temporary disruption rather than a long-term challenge.
“As stability returns, we are confident that the strong growth trajectory of the Indian market will resume,” she added. Based on the recovery witnessed and initiatives planned, the official expressed optimism about restoring Indian visitor arrivals to pre-war levels by 2027.
In 2025, Israel welcomed nearly 13,900 visitors from India. “Despite the challenging circumstances, Indian travellers continued to choose Israel, reflecting the resilience of the market and the enduring interest in the destination,” Bangera noted.
On connectivity, she said air access remains one of the biggest growth opportunities. While there are currently no direct flights between India and Israel, most major international airlines have resumed operations to Ben Gurion Airport from destinations worldwide. Both Indian and Israeli carriers remain keenly interested in this market, and positive developments are expected in the near future. In the meantime, Indian travellers continue to travel via leading Middle Eastern carriers, which have maintained consistent connectivity.
Bangera highlighted that Israel's tourism offering has evolved significantly over the past decade, attracting a wider range of travellers from India. “Our focus has been on positioning Israel as a multifaceted destination that offers far more than one type of travel experience. From culture, heritage, and gastronomy to wellness, luxury, adventure, and nature, Israel offers diverse experiences that appeal to different traveller interests throughout the year,” she said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a clear shift in travel patterns was observed, with a growing number of Indian visitors choosing Israel for leisure holidays, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel, and other experiential journeys. Bangera stressed that religious tourism will always remain an integral part of Israel's offering due to the country's unique spiritual significance, but the ministry has successfully broadened its appeal by showcasing vibrant cities, culinary experiences, luxury offerings, wellness, adventure, and world-class MICE infrastructure.
