As 2025 comes to a close, Israel is experiencing steady, meaningful growth in tourism following the ceasefire agreement. Visitor numbers in Israel have continued to climb month over month, with 39,600 U.S. visitors in November, with 30.7% growth in inbound tourism between 2024 and 2025. U.S. legacy airlines are reinstating routes, and new hotels, attractions, and cultural experiences are coming alive across the country. This renewed momentum underscores travelers’ enduring interest in Israel’s rich history, landscapes, and hospitality, and sets the stage for a promising 2026, with an expanding slate of infrastructure investments, new openings, and enhanced visitor offerings.
“This year, we witnessed true growth and resilience for Israel’s tourism sector,” said Yoram Elgrabli, North America Tourism Commissioner, Israel Ministry of Tourism. “The steady return of visitors, the reinstatement of key flight routes, and the continued development of new hotels, attractions, and cultural sites all reflect the strength of our tourism community and the unwavering interest in discovering Israel. Looking ahead to 2026, we are entering a new chapter, one filled with renewed optimism, meaningful investments, and exciting new experiences that will welcome travelers from around the world.”
FLIGHT UPDATES
Delta Airlines Relaunches Atlanta and Boston Routes
In 2026, Delta Airlines will resume flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Atlanta (ATL) and Boston (BOS), expanding its trans-Atlantic network and restoring nonstop service from key U.S. hubs to Israel. Service from Atlanta will begin on April 15, 2026, operating three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Daily service from Boston will begin Oct. 24, 2026. Beginning in April, Delta Airlines will be operating 10 weekly flights to Israel from Atlanta.
HOTEL UPDATES
Fattal Hotels
Fattal Hotels has officially reopened the historic Nordoy Hotel in Tel Aviv as the property celebrates its landmark 100th anniversary. Originally built in the 1920s as the city’s first purpose-designed hotel by acclaimed architect Yehuda Magidovitch, the hotel has undergone a renovation that has preserved the hotel’s stone façades, shutters, and architectural details while introducing warm, contemporary interiors inspired by mid-century style. Now operating as an adults-only boutique hotel in the heart of Nachalat Binyamin, Nordoy offers 22 uniquely designed rooms and suites with balconies overlooking Tel Aviv’s vibrant urban landscape.
Beyond Nordoy, Fattal Hotels Group continues to expand its luxury portfolio with several notable openings across Israel. Both the Botanica Hotel and its new signature dining venue, Terrace Restaurant, are newly opened, offering guests a fresh luxury stay paired with an elevated kosher culinary experience. Additional recent hotel openings include Canaan–Tzfat and The Jaffa–Jaffa Tel Aviv, each offering distinctive design and elevated dining rooted in their local surroundings. Upcoming launches such as Palatin Tel Aviv and The Yacht Herzliya will further strengthen the brand’s presence in key coastal and cultural destinations.
Isrotel Hotels
Isrotel Hotels is expanding its urban boutique collection in Tel Aviv with two distinctive new properties designed to appeal to modern travelers. Dizengoff 99 Hotel, offering 122 stylish rooms in the heart of the city, brings a youthful, contemporary feel just steps from Rothschild Boulevard and the beach. Nearby, the intimate Montefiore 7 Hotel will feature 46 elegantly appointed rooms within a restored historic building, blending European-inspired design with a sophisticated cocktail bar to create an elevated boutique experience. Together, these openings reflect Isrotel’s continued investment in thoughtfully crafted, design-forward hotels that capture the energy and character of Tel Aviv.
Gordonia Zichron Yaakov
Gordonia Hotels is elevating luxury hospitality on Israel’s Carmel Coast with the opening of Gordonia Zichron Yaakov, a new all-suite retreat offering sweeping Mediterranean views from every room. Perched above the coastline, the property features a dramatic infinity pool, a full-service spa, and refined, chef-driven dining that highlights the region’s flavors. Designed as an intimate, high-end escape within one of Israel’s most picturesque wine-country towns, the hotel blends tranquility, contemporary elegance, and immersive scenery. With its focus on personalized service and elevated amenities, Gordonia Zichron Yaakov marks a significant addition to Israel’s growing portfolio of boutique coastal getaways.
CULINARY UPDATES
Tel Aviv’s Updated Culinary Scene
Tel Aviv’s ever-evolving food scene is entering a dynamic new phase with a wave of restaurant, bar,r and multi-space openings that reflect the city’s signature creativity and global influences. From Mediterranean grills and market-driven kitchens to Japanese-inspired izakayas and Barcelona-style tapas bars, these new concepts offer visitors an authentic taste of Tel Aviv today. Highlights include HIGHBALL, an ASA Japanese izakaya bar built around a traditional Irori grill; OBI, a culture-driven dining space blending food, music and atmosphere; Gita, a neighborhood grill rooted in the vibrant Levinsky Market; eso, a Barcelona-style tapas bar on Dizengoff Street; Juniper, a botanical cocktail bar with a seasonal kitchen in Levinsky Market; and Bandit, a playful new chef’s gastrobar from acclaimed chef Yossi Shitrit in Jaffa. Together, these openings showcase the city’s boundless culinary energy and its ability to reinvent flavors while staying deeply connected to local ingredients, street culture, and the spirit of Tel Aviv.
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Israel Opens Yahel-Timna Bike Track
In December, Israel officially opened its longest bicycle singletrack, the Yahel-Timna route, now offering more than 62 miles of continuous off-road riding after completion of the Yotvata–Timna segment. The project, which cost roughly $6.2 million USD, was unveiled during the annual Southern Arava bicycle conference. The Southern Arava already boasts more than 217 miles of cycling trails, making it Israel’s largest cycling park. The new singletrack, which will be maintained year-round, adds to a rapidly growing network that draws cyclists seeking diverse routes, winter-friendly weather, and dramatic desert scenery.
For details on upcoming events and attractions in Israel, visit IMOT’s website. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram to receive the latest updates.
New York Jewish Travel Guide
