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Israel releases tourism recovery & renewal plan

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has outlined a strategy for restoring hospitality facilities that have housed evacuees during the war, and for revitalizing the country’s tourism industry.
Israel’s tourism industry has plunged into a crisis as the war in Gaza continues. Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, around 853,000 tourist entries have been recorded, mainly from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the Philippines, the IMOT says.
With arrivals down in 2024, Israel’s tourism ministry has estimated that the drop in foreign tourists has translated into 18.7 billion shekels ($4.9 billion USD) in lost revenue since the start of the war.
In a press release Tuesday (Nov. 26), the IMOT said Israel has shown “remarkable resilience” during the conflict.
More than 90,000 evacuees were housed in hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals, with many establishments opening their doors and transforming into temporary homes for families forced to leave their residences, the ministry said.
The tourism board stated that this effort highlights the role of Israel’s tourism industry, not only as an economic driver, “but also as a pillar of community support during times of crisis.”
The Ministry of Tourism, led by Minister Haim Katz, has launched a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to restore the sector.
The program allocates significant resources to restore hospitality facilities and prepare them to welcome international tourists.
"Hotels opened their doors and became homes for evacuees, and we are committed to rehabilitating these facilities to welcome tourists. The budget allocated for promoting domestic tourism will also support the recovery of the entire tourism sector,” said Minister Katz in a statement.
The plan includes a budget of ILS 175 million for the restoration and upgrading of hospitality facilities.
Accommodation providers will receive financial support to return their properties to optimal condition and even enhance them, the IMOT says.
“This effort ensures that facilities will be ready to welcome tourists,” shared the tourist board.
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Additionally, ILS 10 million has been allocated to promote domestic tourism, encouraging Israelis to explore the country and support local tourism businesses.
This dual approach – infrastructure rehabilitation and tourism promotion – is designed to drive growth across the sector and ensure the swift recovery of local businesses, the IMOT says.
The IMOT says the rehabilitation of infrastructure is a “crucial step” in preparing Israel’s tourism sector for a full return to activity.
This initiative, it said, reflects Israel’s dedication to maintaining its status as a leading destination and creating an exceptional hospitality experience that will attract visitors from Israel and around the world.
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