Behind the scenes, the Ministry of Tourism‘s Digital Technologies and Information Division worked to advance the Ministry through technological innovation, advanced digital services, and information infrastructures that bring government operations into a new era.
We spoke with Lior Ashkenazi, Senior Director of Digital Technologies and Information at the Ministry of Tourism, about the past year and also took a look with him into the year ahead.
Lior, let’s start with a brief summary of the past year. What were the Division’s main achievements in 2025?
We succeeded in creating a deep and comprehensive change in the Ministry of Tourism’s digital infrastructures and services, while maintaining continuous operations in Israel and abroad. We launched and implemented advanced systems in essential areas such as exhibitions, infrastructure, VAT refunds, professional training, the tourism situation room, and the accommodation system. All systems operate based on online forms, customer relationship management, advanced internet services, and cloud.
Concurrently, we digitized manual processes, strengthened control and transparency, and improved user experience and the ability of professional units to operate more efficiently.
One of the prominent steps was the transition to a new CRM platform. Why was this such a significant move?
We chose to transition to Salesforce out of a desire to unify information infrastructures and significantly improve the management of relationships with our professional partners. The new system enables advanced service and control processes, adaptation to government regulation, and a convenient infrastructure for future developments. This is a systemic transition that requires not only technology but also employee training, organizational culture change, and gradual implementation. This is a step that places the Ministry at the forefront of government services in Israel.
Cybersecurity has become a strategic challenge for every public body in recent years. How did you operate in this area in 2025?
Indeed, which is why cybersecurity and information security were at the top of our priorities. In 2025, we systematically implemented government directives, strengthened the Ministry’s defense layers, and implemented advanced solutions such as monitoring and intrusion prevention systems, penetration testing, secure development, and file sanitization tools.
The actions we took involved both the headquarters in Israel and our offices abroad, and we ensured that everything was done quietly, under control, and without disrupting the Ministry’s ongoing work. Good information security is not just a technical necessity, but an integral part of the trust the public places in us.
How was the Division’s activity reflected in relation to the Ministry’s tourism offices worldwide?
The offices are an integral part of our strategy. This year, we undertook a thorough process to regulate all the digital activities of the offices. This ranged from technological infrastructures, through information security, to effective communication with local tourism stakeholders. We operated systems that ensure ongoing control and coordination with the Ministry’s headquarters, including through the implementation of the Monday system for task management and strengthening transparency. This allows us to operate at the same level of quality and security in Jerusalem as well as in Los Angeles, New Delhi, and Moscow.
And what awaits us in the coming year? Are there already plans for 2026?
Certainly. 2026 is expected to be another leap forward. We will expand the use of artificial intelligence to improve internal Ministry processes and also as part of our marketing systems.
We will establish a technological innovation community that will bring together entrepreneurs, startups, researchers, and tourism bodies. This will be a platform for collaborations focused on developing creative solutions for the tourism industry.
Our vision is to see technology not just as a management tool, but as a growth engine that drives real change. Under the leadership of Minister Haim Katz, we aim to position Israeli tourism at the forefront of global innovation.
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