Israel, June 2, 2026. The Israeli government has approved a comprehensive aid package worth 43 million ILS (approximately 13.1 million euros) for the international tourism industry. The measure, initiated by Tourism Minister Haim Katz, is specifically aimed at incoming tour operators and has a clear objective: to sustain the core infrastructure of the Israeli tourism sector through the current crisis—ensuring that Israel is fully prepared to welcome international travelers as soon as the security situation stabilizes and international air travel resumes.

Incoming tour operators serve as an indispensable link between Israel and international travel agencies, community organizations, churches, and individual travelers from around the world. In normal times, they create customized itineraries, secure hotel blocks, and coordinate local tour guides and transportation companies. However, ongoing geopolitical challenges have drastically reduced demand and disrupted international air travel. The new aid package ensures that these key players can weather the crisis without losing the expertise and international business relationships they have built up over decades.

Two funding pillars through July 2027
The total volume of 43 million ILS is divided into two operational pillars, which will run through July 2027. The largest portion, 35 million ILS, is allocated to an employee retention program that subsidizes the salaries of skilled workers who manage international client accounts and logistics processes. The remaining 8 million ILS is earmarked for a global marketing and reactivation fund. This fund supports tour operators in international advertising campaigns, participation in major travel trade shows, and the organization of professional networking events. The goal is to regain travelers’ confidence and strengthen Israel’s position on the international travel map.

Clear Commitment to the Tourism Industry
Tourism Minister Haim Katz emphasized that incoming tour operators are the crucial backbone of Israel’s global tourism marketing. In normal times, the tourism sector supports thousands of Israeli families and injects tens of billions of shekels into the national economy. In times of crisis, he said, it is the state’s responsibility to preserve this essential infrastructure, as skilled personnel and intact business networks are crucial for a swift and successful recovery after the crisis.

The current package builds on an earlier aid program worth 70 million ILS that was launched at the start of the conflict—a testament to the state’s long-term commitment to its global tourism pipeline. When an international tour operator books a tour, tour guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurants, national parks, and cultural museums benefit directly—a complete ecosystem of local economic actors.

About the Israel Government Tourist Office in Germany:

Whether it’s round-trip tours, city breaks, beach vacations, wellness getaways, active and cultural trips, self-drive tours, or family vacations: The Israel National Tourist Office provides information on the various regions, cities, and attractions in the Holy Land. Israel is located in the eastern Mediterranean and is no more than a four-hour flight from most parts of Europe. The country offers a sunny climate, a wide variety of historical, archaeological, and religious sites, as well as a captivating contrast between antiquity and modernity. In Israel, visitors are welcomed with traditional hospitality that dates back to biblical times. goisrael.com

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