Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Michael Yitzhakov: “In accordance with the policy of the Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, we are working to increase tourist traffic with a focus on audiences with a connection to Israel. Indeed, tourism is in a distinct recovery trend, and the Ministry of Tourism sees international exhibitions like FITUR as an integral part of the effort to return Israel to the global tourism map. So far, we are witnessing great interest and are happy to be here, to leverage it and convey a clear message: Israel is safe and invites the world to come and visit.”
Director General of the Ministry of Tourism Michael Yitzhakov inaugurated the Israeli pavilion today (Wednesday), with the participation of the Acting Ambassador of Israel to Spain, Ms. Dana Erlich. The Israeli pavilion, spanning an area of 400 square meters, includes 30 Israeli companies, among them 19 incoming tourism organizers, 9 major hotel chains, including Africa-Israel; Dan; Fattal; Canada-Israel, and others, as well as El Al and Israir.
Approximately 156 countries are exhibiting at the fair, which is attended by about 9,500 exhibitors, and is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors, including 155,000 professionals in the international tourism industry. The fair, which opens annually under the patronage of the King of Spain, serves as a focal point for meetings with decision-makers, airlines, and tourism agencies from the Spanish and Latin American markets.
At the fair, Director General Yitzhakov will hold meetings with major tourism wholesalers, including the AVORIS group, which deals with spiritual tourism and transported over 6 million passengers in the past year, operating about 3,000 points of sale, Air Europa, and representatives of tourism ministries from around the world. This is in order to promote marketing collaborations, pilgrimage packages, and strengthen air connectivity to Israel.
At the Israeli pavilion, tourism videos will be displayed on giant screens, and visitors will be able to receive a personalized caricature against the backdrop of the country’s landscapes, drawn on-site by an artist. Additionally, a festive Kabbalat Shabbat reception will be held at the pavilion.
Tourism to Israel is in a recovery trend, with 1.3 million visitors entering Israel in 2025. Spain is a Catholic country with a population of 49 million residents who make over 21 million trips abroad annually. The Ministry of Tourism office in Madrid is in contact with dozens of Spanish wholesalers who sell packages to Israel and is working to realize the potential.
Related Topics
