Israel prepares to welcome a growing wave of international travelers as it enters the holiday season

The beginning of 2025 has introduced significant updates to Israel’s tourism offerings, including a series of hotel and restaurant openings, airport upgrades and new attractions. As more legacy U.S. airlines announced that they will be reintroducing flights to Israel starting in March, including Delta and United, more Americans are traveling to the country. In the first quarter of 2025, Israel welcomed over 100,000 tourists from North America, showing a 39% increase when compared year-over-year with 2024.

“Israel’s tourism sector continues to show resilience and growth, with travelers eager to return and experience all that the country has to offer,” said Yoram Elgrabli, North America Tourism Commissioner, Israel Ministry of Tourism. “As Israel enhances its infrastructure with upgraded airport facilities and new luxury accommodations, the country continues to show its commitment to providing visitors with a seamless and memorable journey. The reopening of key travel hubs and the expansion of flight options further reinforce the strong demand for travel to Israel, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors in the months ahead.”

Below is a look at the many tourism developments across Israel.

TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENTS 

New International Airport is Coming to The South of Israel 

The Knesset Committee approved plans to develop an international airport located in the Negev, about five miles southeast of Beersheva. This new international airport expects to be complete in seven years and will handle 15 million passengers on an annual basis while creating around 50,000 jobs. The new international airport in Israel’s Southern region will aim to lessen congestion at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and allow easier access to this region of the country.

Ben Gurion Airport Reopens Terminal One Ahead of Holiday Travel Surge 

Ben Gurion Airport has reopened Terminal One in anticipation of a surge in travel coming to Israel to celebrate Passover and Easter in April. The terminal was set to handle over 1,377 departures in April, representing about 25% of the airport’s total outbound passenger traffic. The Israel Airport Authority (IAA) began hiring new operations and security workers in preparation for the spring holiday season. The reopening followed a recent closure in November 2024 for repairs.

Ben Gurion Airport Introduces Western Wall Exhibit

In February, Ben Gurion Airport worked with the Israel Antiquities Authority and Israeli Heritage Ministry to unveil a new exhibit for travelers to interact with, highlighting over 3,000 years of Jewish history. Upon entry to the airport, travelers will be able to view and interact with an original Western Wall stone, a Hasmonean coin hoard, ancient arrowheads and archaeological evidence of biblical figures. This exhibit will be on display through January 2026.

EL AL Reopens its Luxury Lounge at Ben Gurion Airport

EL AL Airlines has recently reopened the King David Lounge at Ben Gurion Airport after undergoing renovations. The lounge, which serves premium-class passengers and high-tier frequent flyer members, underwent a multi-million-dollar upgrade including new furniture, a bar offering five cocktails inspired by the airline’s key destinations (Israel, New York, Berlin, Tokyo, London and Paris) improved workspaces and a partnership with Nespresso for coffee.

Arkia Airlines Introduces Business Class Seats on Flights From New York City to Tel Aviv

Arkia Israeli Airlines is expanding its international operations and has announced the launch of a new business class service on its flights between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV). Beginning May 14, 2025, Arkia flights to New York will be operated on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, featuring a premium business class cabin designed for an elevated travel experience. The newly introduced cabin will include 18 state-of-the-art seats that fully recline into flatbeds, offering passengers the highest level of comfort and luxury.

HOTEL OPENINGS AND REOPENINGS 

Ayala Hotel

Ayala Hotel, located in the Upper Galilee near Tel Hazor National Park, is a two-story hotel made out of stone overlooking the Galilee and Mount Hermon. This 147-room property was created for couples and families in mind, offering a spa and kids club, infinity pool, event space and on-site restaurant highlighting local Galilean cuisine. Ayala Hotel originally opened in July of 2023 closed after a few months of operations after the events of Oct. 7 and is set to reopen in April 2025.

Canaan Spa Hotel

The Canaan Spa Hotel in Israel’s northern city of Safed has recently reopened in February 2025 after pausing operations following the events of Oct. 7. Canaan Spa Hotel puts tranquility and relaxation on the forefront and is equipped with a luxury spa with saunas, steam rooms, guided meditation and yoga, jacuzzis, semi-Olympic sized pool, outdoor fire pits, as well as 119 guestrooms. There is also an on-property garden which supplies fresh produce used at the on-site restaurant and wine bar, which offers a seasonal menu as well as fresh herbs to make artisanal teas.

Gimnasium Hotel

Isrotel, in partnership with Marriott, has announced the opening of the Gimnasium Hotel, a new urban luxury hotel in central Tel Aviv. Located on Montefiore Street near Neve Tzedek and Nahalat Binyamin, and facing the Tel Aviv Sea, the hotel blends modern and classic design elements inspired by the city’s cultural and architectural character. The hotel features 145 stylish rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, a cocktail bar with panoramic views and a high-end à la carte breakfast served at the relocated Shila restaurant by chef Sharon Cohen. The Gimnasium is Isrotel’s sixth hotel in Tel Aviv and 24th in Israel.

Gymnasia Isrotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Gymnasia Isrotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Tel Aviv officially opened its doors to the public on March 11. The property consists of 145 rooms with private balconies, a rooftop pool and bar and on-site restaurant, Shila, with a menu curated by Chef Sharon Cohen. The hotel is only a 10-minute walk from the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv, offering easy access to enjoy the coast.

Jacob Modi’in

Jacob Hotels opened a new hotel in the city of Modi’in, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in March 2025. This is a monumental moment to this central city, as it is the first hotel to open in the region. The Jacob Modi’in is a two-story hotel offering 85 rooms, five meeting spaces, an event and conference hall, dining room, event garden, large suites to accommodate families and groups, two on-site playgrounds and a synagogue. Jacob Modi’in also has plans to open an onsite restaurant and bar, as well as a spa in the coming months. Located next to Anava Park, the Azrieli complex and the train station, the Jacob Modi’in is an ideal destination for leisure and business travelers who want to experience this up-and-coming city.

NEW RESTAURANTS IN TEL AVIV

Chakoli

Chakoli is a new seafood tapas restaurant in Tel Aviv located directly opposite the Mediterranean, boasting sweeping views with indoor and outdoor seating that offers a unique dining experience inspired by Spanish cuisine. Chakoli was developed by well-known Tel Aviv restaurateurs Chef Guy Gamzu, Mosh Budnik and Itzik Hangel, with a menu curated by Chef Yarden Shay which features fresh fish and seafood with Spanish influences. The restaurant features a spacious central bar, where diners can enjoy music and food while watching the chefs at work in the open kitchen, and an open deck bringing the sea directly into the heart of the experience.

Malka

After seven successful years at Beit Asia, Chef Eyal Shani’s restaurant Malka has relocated to Azrieli Town. Originally opened in 2018, Malka is a kosher restaurant that offers a unique culinary experience blending rich flavors, diverse textures and a touching story.

Malka’s menu is ever-changing based on seasonal ingredients and each dish is meticulously crafted using authentic Israeli flavors. With additional locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Palm Beach, Malka exemplifies a restaurant that seamlessly integrates high-quality Israeli cuisine with meaningful social impact.

Saka-Ba

Saka-Ba, a new Japanese bar bringing the nightlife vibe of Osaka to Tel Aviv, recently opened in the heart of the city’s Levinsky Market. Saka-Ba is the brainchild of well-known Israeli restaurateur Asaf Menachem (owner of Men-Ten-Ten restaurant) and Osaka-born Chef Masaya, and offers dishes inspired by traditional izakaya.

ZO

Zo is a new 120-seat restaurant that recently opened on Rothschild Boulevard in the vibrant Soho neighborhood in Tel Aviv. Led by restaurateur Yaki Kabir and Dr. Amir Zarach, ZO offers culinary creations inspired by Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisines under the direction of one of Israel’s most successful Asian chefs, Don Tran. With signature dishes including Foie Gras Filet Roll, Samurai Roll, Sashimaki, Sakura Roll and Crispy Zucchini Roll, the restaurant prides itself on developing a curated menu and cocktail, offering innovative combinations and surprising flavors.

ATTRACTIONS

Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem Officially Opens to the Public 

The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem (MOTJ) officially opened its doors to the public in March 2025. This museum is the Israeli counterpart of the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and was developed by the LA-based Simon Wiesenthal Center. MOTJ’s goal is to promote unity, dignity and respect among both the Jewish people and individuals of all faiths. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the facility, as well as take advantage of a children’s museum with a 150-seat theater, classrooms and live performances, a two-story worship space and library, cafe and gift shop. MOTJ currently has two temporary exhibits, 06:29 – From Darkness to Light and Documenting Israel: 75 Years of Vision and will be launching additional permanent collections throughout the year.

Space by EXPO Eilat

Space by EXPO Eilat, the largest conference and event complex in Israel, officially opened to the public on March 27. The space serves as an international congress center and cultural hall, and will be home to a variety of cultural events including concerts, festivals, conventions, conferences and more. The 25,833 square-foot event space offers outdoor spaces, LED screens, sound systems and additional in-house event planning services.

For more information about Israel’s tourism offerings, visit israel.travel.

New York Jewish Travel Guide