Israel Travel 2026: What Is New & Open

Last reviewed: July 2026. This page covers what has changed for Israel tourism in 2026 and what visitors arriving now can expect. Always consult your home government’s current travel advisory for the most up-to-date guidance.

Tourism is recovering strongly

Israel welcomed significantly more international visitors in the first half of 2026 than the same period in 2025 — official tourism ministry figures and airline load factors both point to a recovery of 25–29% year-on-year. The main tourist circuits — Jerusalem’s Old City, Tel Aviv and Jaffa, the Dead Sea, Galilee, and Eilat — are fully operational.

“I Am Israel” campaign (June 2026): Israel’s Ministry of Tourism launched a $7 million North America repositioning campaign in June 2026 under the headline “I Am Israel”. The campaign spotlights Israel and its people through personal stories from local residents — chefs, artists, hikers, winemakers — rather than leading with landmarks alone. It targets the United States and Canada, where recovery in visitor bookings has lagged behind European markets despite strong stated demand.

Tourism infrastructure investment (2026): The Ministry of Tourism approved NIS 174 million (approximately $56 million) for investment across 58 public tourism infrastructure projects in 2026. A NIS 37 million component is specifically allocated to Eilat-focused projects, supporting the resort city’s positioning as a year-round Red Sea destination. These investments cover visitor facilities, trail infrastructure, interpretation centres, and accessibility upgrades at sites across the country.

For an honest picture of the current security context, see the is Israel safe guide, which is updated regularly and explains the risk profile by region.

New and expanded flights in 2026

The most tangible sign of recovery for most international visitors is the expansion of direct and connecting routes to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV):

North America

• United Airlines resumed Newark EWR–Tel Aviv nonstop service in March 2025 and expanded to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) in November 2025. Check united.com for current schedules and seasonal frequencies.
• Delta Air Lines resumed daily nonstop service from New York JFK to Tel Aviv in September 2025. The planned Atlanta and Boston routes remain delayed — Atlanta is suspended through at least November 2026 and Boston is delayed indefinitely (check delta.com for updates).
• El Al continues operating New York (JFK and EWR) and Los Angeles routes.

Asia

• Israir is adding new routes to Tokyo, Bangkok, Delhi, and Hanoi — opening Israel to direct Asian connections that previously required a European transit.
• El Al operates flights to Bangkok and Mumbai; check current schedules for availability.

Europe

• Budget carriers continue expanding Israeli operations, with new seasonal routes from multiple European cities. Use a flight search tool to check current availability from your home airport.

Ben Gurion Airport updates (2026)

• Terminal 1 was refurbished and reopened in July 2026, adding processing capacity for the recovering traffic volumes. Most low-cost carriers use Terminal 1; El Al, Air France, Lufthansa, and most flag carriers use Terminal 3.
• A tender for a Terminal 3 expansion was issued in July 2026, part of a longer-term infrastructure programme to handle 2030+ demand projections.

For practical airport logistics — lounges, transport into Tel Aviv, and arrival procedures — see the Ben Gurion Airport guide.

Entry requirements: ETA-IL is now mandatory

The most important planning change for visitors since 2025 is the ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization for Israel).

What it is: a pre-trip electronic authorisation, similar in concept to the US ESTA or the UK ETA. It is not a visa — it grants permission to travel to Israel for tourism for eligible nationalities.

Cost and timing: ₪25 (approximately €6 / $7 USD). Apply at least 72 hours before your departure at the official Israel Airports Authority site (iaa.gov.il). Processing is usually faster, but apply early to avoid last-minute issues.

Who needs it: citizens of eligible countries including EU member states, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. Not all nationalities are eligible — citizens of some countries must apply for a B/2 Tourist Visa from an Israeli embassy instead.

Passport stamp: Israel issues a paper entry slip at Ben Gurion, not a passport stamp. Keep the slip for the duration of your trip — hotels and some internal checkpoints may ask to see it.

For the complete eligibility list and application walkthrough, see the visa and ETA-IL guide.

Reopened attractions in 2026

Rosh Hanikra — the famous sea caves on Israel’s northern Mediterranean coast — completed a cable car restoration programme and reopened in 2026. The 90-second descent to the grottos level, where waves surge through chalk cliff arches, is fully accessible again. See the Rosh Hanikra guide for visiting details.

All major national parks, historical sites, and INPA-managed attractions are operating normally. The Israel National Parks Pass guide covers the annual pass — good value if you plan to visit three or more INPA sites.

New hotels opening in 2026

Israel’s accommodation sector is expanding significantly in 2026, with new properties opening across the country:

• Jaffa — a new boutique hotel in the historic quarter, adding to the already strong offering in one of Israel’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
• Jerusalem — a new property near the city centre, opening alongside the refurbished InterContinental Jerusalem.
• Herzliya marina — the Yacht Hotel Herzliya, targeting the business and leisure marina segment north of Tel Aviv.

Beyond the headline openings, several existing properties are completing upgrades following the quieter 2024–2025 period. This makes 2026 a particularly good year to find well-maintained accommodation at competitive rates before demand fully normalises.

For where to stay by city, see the Israel accommodation guide and the city-specific where-to-stay pages.

What has not changed

The main tourist experience is intact. The Old City of Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, Yad Vashem, the Sea of Galilee, and Tel Aviv’s beaches and markets are all operating as normal. Visitor numbers at top sites are lower than the pre-2023 peak — which means shorter queues at popular attractions for those visiting now.

Israeli hospitality. The tourism industry — guides, hotels, restaurants, tour operators — has maintained standards through a difficult period and is motivated to welcome visitors.

Shabbat logistics. Friday afternoon to Saturday night remains the weekly rest period: public transport stops in most cities, most Jewish-owned businesses close, and the mood shifts. Planning around Shabbat is still the most important practical skill for first-time visitors.

The ETA-IL is the new normal. Apply at least 72 hours before departure; allow a few minutes — the form is straightforward.

Planning resources for 2026

• First time in Israel — the essential planning framework
• Is Israel safe? — honest, current, regionally specific
• Visa and ETA-IL guide — full eligibility, application steps
• Ben Gurion Airport guide — arrival, terminals, transport
• Best time to visit Israel — seasonal weather and events
• Israel accommodation guide — options by city and budget
• Israel travel tips — 20 things to know before you go