Israel names new tourism director for Canada

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has appointed Taimur Mansour as consul and director of tourism for Canada, based in Toronto, effective August 2026.

In the role, Mansour will lead the ministry's efforts to grow travel from the Canadian market to Israel, reads a press release.

His responsibilities include strengthening partnerships with the Canadian travel industry, tour operators, media and airlines, while overseeing roadshows, targeted marketing campaigns and content initiatives aimed at connecting Canadians with Israel.

A member of the Druze community, Mansour said he is passionate about representing his heritage and showcasing Israel's diverse mix of people, religions and cultures.

“Taimur brings a combination of deep cultural knowledge, global campaign experience and genuine personal connection to Israel’s story, and that combination will resonate strongly with the Canadian market,” said Yoram Elgrabil, tourism commissioner for North America at the Israel Ministry of Tourism, in a statement.

“Canada represents one of our most promising markets. Canadian travelers are among the world’s most curious and adventurous travelers, often seeking meaningful connections and authentic cultural experiences. Canada is also home to the 4th largest Jewish community in the world.”

“We are confident Taimur’s leadership will deepen our partnerships across Canada’s travel industry and create new opportunities for Canadians to experience Israel’s history, culture and people.”

Before relocating to Toronto, Mansour served as director of the Media and Campaigns Department at the Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem, where he worked alongside the ministry's marketing leadership to oversee a global network of 19 public relations managers.

In that role, he managed content collaborations, media buying, social media strategy and global marketing campaigns.

Among his projects was the "I AM ISRAEL" campaign for North American audiences, which launched in June 2026.

Mansour's background in tourism also includes experience as a professional tour guide, leading groups throughout Israel and developing an in-depth understanding of the country's landscapes and history.

Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew and English, and conversant in Chinese, Mansour holds a Master of Arts in Asian Studies from the University of Haifa and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Tel Aviv University.

He is also a graduate of the Israeli government's official Attachés Course.

Renewed momentum 

The news comes as Israel reports renewed momentum from the North American market, with visitor arrivals from Canada and the United States climbing as the country pushes ahead with major investments in tourism infrastructure, new hotels and visitor experiences.

According to the IMOT, Israel welcomed 34,700 visitors from the U.S. and Canada in June 2026, a 73 per cent increase compared with the same month last year, despite continued limitations in air service.

The update also comes after several years of setbacks for Israel's tourism sector as geopolitical conflict and security concerns disrupted international travel and reduced air connectivity.

While Israel enters a new era of tourism recovery, the Government of Canada still advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the country due to the "volatile security situation in the region."

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