Canada, U.S. visitors to Israel jump 73%, destination ramps up tourism investment

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

According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism (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 comes after several years of setbacks for Israel's tourism sector as geopolitical conflict and security concerns disrupted international travel and reduced air connectivity.

New tourism projects

At the same time, Israel has unveiled new tourism projects aimed at strengthening its appeal to international visitors and supporting long-term recovery.

Among the largest investments is a US$12 million (38.5 million NIS) government commitment to improve tourism infrastructure in the southern resort destination of Eilat as part of a five-year development strategy running through 2030, reads a press release.

The funding will be used to enhance the visitor experience and further establish Eilat as one of Israel's leading leisure destinations.

Israel is also expanding capacity and upgrading facilities at Ben Gurion Airport, where Terminal 3 is undergoing a major expansion.

The project includes a new eastern passenger terminal, upgraded baggage and security facilities, additional airline check-in areas, restaurants and commercial space.

Construction is also planned on the airport's first five-star hotel, a 260-room property by Brown Hotels scheduled to open in 2028.

"Israel has always been a destination where history, culture and innovation come together, and the investments being made today ensure that experience will be even more meaningful for future visitors,” said Yoram Elgrabli, Tourism Commissioner for North America at the Israel Ministry of Tourism, in a statement.

He said the country is expanding opportunities for visitors through new luxury accommodations, culinary experiences, enhanced accessibility at religious sites and emerging destinations such as the Negev wine region, while continuing to focus on sustainable tourism development.

Among the newest tourism additions is a state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Haifa, which opened in May.

Designed to accommodate two mega-ships simultaneously, the facility has the capacity to serve up to one million cruise passengers annually.

Israel's Negev wine region has also received Protected Geographical Indication status, recognizing an area that now includes more than 60 wineries producing over one million bottles of wine each year.

Food tourism is also receiving a boost. The Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, expected to open later this year, will combine a professional culinary school with immersive visitor experiences, including cooking programs, a restaurant, café and working farm.

Religious tourism remains another priority. Approximately US$8 million is being invested to renovate Kasr el Yahud, one of Christianity's most significant baptism sites along the Jordan River.

Planned upgrades include improved accessibility, new visitor facilities, expanded parking and enhanced access to the water.

Israel is also advancing plans to transform Highway 60 into "The Bible Road," a heritage tourism route linking Be'er Sheva and Nof Hagalil through visitor centres, scenic viewpoints, multilingual interpretation and educational programming.

The country's hotel pipeline continues to expand as well. New openings include The Yacht, a 325-room luxury resort on Herzliya Marina that debuted in June, and Kassland, a new family-focused resort near Jerusalem featuring a thermal spa, indoor water park and 220-room hotel.

Looking ahead, Isrotel, an Israel-based hotel chain, is investing approximately US$1 billion in new hotels and luxury glamping projects across Israel, including developments in Eilat, the Sea of Galilee region and Ramon Crater.

Beyond traditional tourism, Israel is also investing US$3.5 million in agritourism initiatives across the Galilee through 2029.

The program will support farm experiences, orchard visits, culinary workshops and visitor centres designed to connect travellers with the region's agricultural communities while supporting local economic development.

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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