NEW YORK (Press Release) – In the first half of the year, Israel continued enhancing its tourism offerings with a series of new hotels and attractions designed to inspire and delight visitors. With the reintroduction of flights from legacy airlines including Delta and United, new, and moving art installations, the return of prominent festivals and more, tourism in Israel is continuing to grow.
From January through June 2025, Israel recorded a steady growth of 16.7% in U.S. visitation compared to the same period in 2024.
“Israel’s tourism industry has shown remarkable resilience and progress,” says Yoram Elgrabli, Tourism Commissioner for North America. “In July, the U.S. Department of State lowered the travel advisory for Israel from Level Four to Level Three – a meaningful step that underscores growing confidence in the destination. Combined with increased service from U.S. carriers United Airlines and Delta Airlines, and the opening of new celebrity-backed hotels, this momentum is helping to restore a sense of peace, excitement and anticipation among U.S. travelers planning a visit to Israel this year.”
Below is a look at the many tourism developments across Israel.
FLIGHT UPDATES
–United Airlines Resumes Flights to Israel Starting July 21: On July 21, United Airlines officially reinstated twice daily flights from Newark International Airport (EWR) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv. United announced it will lower the cost of flights, making travel to Israel from the United States more accessible for the average traveler, and hopes to cut the cost of tickets again in September.
–Delta Airlines Adds Second Daily Flight Between New York and Tel Aviv: Starting Nov. 30, 2025, Delta Airlines has announced the launch of a second daily flight between John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, which will operate until Jan. 19, 2026. This second daily flight reflects the growing demand of individuals looking to travel to Israel.
NEW HOTELS
–Leonardo DiCaprio Slated to Open New Hotel in Tel Aviv: Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio is teaming up with The Harag Group and brothers Ahikam and Lior Cohen to open a new luxury eco-hotel in Herzliya Marina. This hotel officially received the green light from the Tel Aviv District Planning and Building Committee to proceed with 365 rooms, in a 14-floor property.
–Fattal Hotel Plans to Open Eight New Hotels in Israel: Fattal Hotel, the largest hotel group in Israel, is investing $440 million USD to open eight new hotels across the country in the next year. The new hotels, located across Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Jerusalem, include a variety of concepts. The Bazar Hotel in Jaffa, which opened in April 2025, combines historic elements with modern design. In Jerusalem, the Nocha is an adults-only boutique hotel offering a refined, luxurious experience. Fattal is also planning to build luxury resorts at the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee, a Bauhaus-style hotel in Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square called Reception, and a new hotel in Tel Aviv’s Masila Park.
–Kayma, A New Hotel on The Dead Sea By Isrotel: Isrotel, a leading hotel chain in Israel, is slated to open a new luxury boutique hotel in the Dead Sea region, Kayma. Kayma will have 44 rooms with personalized luxury experiences, setting a new standard for hotels in the region. Guests will have access to high-end amenities such as an infinity pool, a spa with Turkish baths, saunas, jacuzzi and fitness center, as well as a new culinary concept that focuses on sustainable, seasonal and gourmet dining.
ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS
–Harvard University Teams Up with Ben-Gurion University for New Study Abroad Program: The esteemed Harvard University announced a new partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to begin offering study abroad programs for students starting in the 2026 spring semester. This partnership hopes to strengthen the relationship between the two universities and demonstrate Harvard’s commitment to supporting Israel.
–Israel Nature and Parks Authority Launches “Nari” Art Installation at Beit Guvrin National Park: Located in Beit Guvrin National Park from July through November 2025, visitors will enjoy art installations developed by artists Idan Raichel, Merav Shaham and Eli Haziza. The exhibition deals with the “People of Silence,” a group who went through many wanderings and years of exile, returning to their homeland’s landscape and entering the cave where visions and revelations are revealed to them, integrated with nature, animals and the surrounding rocks.
— “White Night” Returns to Tel Aviv: “White Night,” one of Tel Aviv’s largest and most iconic cultural events, will return to Tel Aviv-Yafo on Thursday, Aug. 28 for a night of rich and diverse entertainment. Since UNESCO declared Tel Aviv’s “White City” a World Heritage Site in 2003, the city has marked the occasion each year with White Night celebrations. These events are open to the public, either free of charge or at reduced prices, and offer a unique blend of culture, community engagement, nightlife and local creativity. White Night programming includes diverse music performances, dance, opera, theater, guided tours, art exhibitions, digital installations, poetry, night markets, sporting events, artist meetups, and late-night menus at restaurants and parties, taking place all throughout the city.
–Israel Antiquities Authority Unveils October 7 Exhibit: In July, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) unveiled a new exhibit in the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem highlighting the massacre that took place on Oct. 7, 2023. This exhibit was created by the IAA and demonstrates the impact of modern-day war through the perspective of archeology.
–Israel’s Largest Extreme Park Opens to the Public in Tel Aviv: SkyField, the largest extreme park in Israel, officially opened to the public on the rooftop of Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv – Yafo. This marks the launch of Israel’s first commercial and accessible extreme sports experience under the slogan “Extreme for ALL,” offering a high-quality and safe adventure starting from age 12 and suitable for the entire family. The park is designed to provide an ideal extreme experience tailored to each visitor’s abilities and willingness to step out of their comfort zone.
For more information about Israel’s tourism offerings, visit israel.travel.
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Preceding provided by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism