Russia Returns to Israel
The Director-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dani Shahar, returned over the weekend from an official visit to Moscow, during which meetings were held with representatives from airlines, tourism operators, online travel services, and media outlets — all aimed at bringing the Russian market back onto Israel’s tourism map.
Dramatic Growth Rate
One immediate result of the visit: starting mid-June, the number of weekly flights between the two countries is expected to rise from 18 to 30, including flights from four different Russian cities.
Shahar noted that Russia “has always been and remains one of our core markets,” adding that the Ministry of Tourism is observing steady growth in Russian interest in visiting Israel. During the Moscow meetings, new vacation packages were promoted, digital marketing campaigns were launched, and advanced talks were held with another airline to open a new route.
Russia Returns to Israel: Trend Expected to Continue
According to ministry data, between January and April 2025, there was a 7.4% increase in tourism from Russia compared to the same period last year. As part of efforts to boost this market, the ministry recently hosted a delegation of Russian travel agents, airline reps, and journalists for a tour of Israel — with the goal of tailoring packages to Russian audiences.
Industry sources estimate that the positive trend is expected to continue into future seasons, contributing to the strengthening of Israel’s economy and inbound tourism sector.
