Israel is expanding its tourism infrastructure, accommodations and visitor experiences as international visitation continues to recover. According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed 34,700 visitors from the U.S. and Canada in June, a 73 percent increase over the same month last year despite limited airlift.
Building on that momentum, the ministry is investing in major infrastructure projects, new hotels and visitor attractions designed to support long-term tourism growth.
“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 media statement.
Major Infrastructure Projects
Among the largest initiatives is a $12 million investment in Eilat, part of a five-year development plan aimed at strengthening the Red Sea resort destination and enhancing the visitor experience.
Israel is also modernizing Ben Gurion Airport with an expansion of Terminal 3 that will increase passenger capacity through new check-in facilities, commercial space and upgraded baggage and security operations. A new five-star hotel at the airport is also planned for 2028.
In northern Israel, a state-of-the-art cruise terminal opened in Haifa earlier this year. Designed to accommodate two mega-ships simultaneously, the facility is expected to handle up to one million cruise passengers annually.
New Attractions and Hotels
Beyond transportation improvements, Israel is expanding its tourism offerings with new cultural, culinary and hospitality experiences.
The Galilee Culinary Institute, scheduled to open by the end of 2026, will offer immersive culinary programs, a working farm, fine dining and hands-on experiences for visitors. The ministry is also advancing plans for “The Bible Road,” a tourism initiative that will transform the historic Highway 60 corridor into a heritage route featuring visitor centers, scenic lookouts and educational experiences highlighting the region’s biblical significance.
Hotel development continues across the country, with recent openings including The Yacht, a luxury waterfront resort on Herzliya Marina, and Kassland, a new all-season resort near Jerusalem combining a hotel, thermal spa and indoor water park. The ministry is also investing in agritourism initiatives across the Galilee and improving visitor facilities at the Kasr el Yahud baptism site, reflecting Israel’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism offerings as international demand continues to recover.
For more information, visit israel.travel.
