 "PM Modi's Israel visit: Indian travel trends and Israel’s push for 69,000 visitors by 2027")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last visit to Israel in 2017 marked a shift in bilateral relations, moving beyond defence and technology to include people to people connections.
Tourism has since become an important part of this engagement, with Israel viewing Indian travellers as a key growth market.
In a message posted on X before his departure, PM Modi said the two nations shared “a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership”, adding that bilateral ties had “significantly strengthened in the last few years”.
As diplomatic engagement deepens, Israel is now looking to rebuild tourism flows from India after facing two major setbacks, the Covid 19 Pandemic and the ongoing war that began in October 2023.
Israel targets pre-pandemic Indian tourist numbers
Israel hopes to reach around 69,000 visitors from India by 2027, returning to pre-pandemic levels. This projection was shared by a senior official of the Israel Ministry of Tourism.
Galit Hoffman, Consul Tourism Affairs for India, told Press Trust of India that Israel had welcomed 65,100 Indian visitors in 2019. She said that with stable conditions, resumed flights, and renewed promotional campaigns, Israel expects a gradual recovery.
“We faced two major crises. First Covid 19 and then the war. Both had a deep impact on tourism. If things remain positive and we get the kind of promotions we had earlier, it should take us another one and a half to two years to reach around 69,000 visitors from India,” Hoffman said.
Shifting focus beyond pilgrimage
Pilgrimage has traditionally dominated Indian travel to Israel, especially visits to Jerusalem and nearby religious sites. However, Israeli tourism authorities are now trying to diversify the Indian visitor profile.
In 2026, Israel plans to focus on leisure travellers, families, couples, and MICE tourism, which includes meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Hoffman said Israel offers a mix of history, culture, beaches, food, and nature that appeals to a wide range of travellers.
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View AllTourism officials believe that younger Indian tourists and working professionals are increasingly looking for destinations that combine culture with modern city life, something Israel is keen to highlight.
Visa process and entry rules for Indians
Israel offers an e-visa facility for Indian citizens, which usually takes around 10 working days to process. Hoffman said the e-visa system includes a family option, allowing one main applicant to link multiple family members under a single application.
According to information shared by Tata AIG, Indian citizens require a visa to visit Israel for tourism, business, or study. Short term tourist visas generally allow stays of up to 90 days.
Processing times range from 7 to 15 working days for e visas, while applications through the Israeli Embassy or Consulate can take up to three weeks.
Travel insurance with Covid coverage is mandatory for all foreign visitors entering Israel, including Indians.
Key destinations attracting Indian travellers
Israel offers a wide range of attractions despite its small size. Jerusalem remains the heart of the religious tourism with sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. the city also houses cultural landmarks like the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem.
Tel Aviv appeals to leisure travellers with its Mediterranean beaches, nightlife, food scene and the White City area known for Bauhaus architecture.
Other major attractions include the Dead Sea, known for its high salt content and therapeutic value, Haifa and its Baha’i Gardens and archaeological sites such as Masada, Caesarea and Beit She’an.
Nature lovers often explore the Negev Desert, Ramon Crater and Timma Valley while Eilat draws diving enthusiasts to the Coral Beach Nature Reserve in the Red Sea. The Galiliee region offers boating, cycling, bird watching and religious heritage sites.
Israel also has more than 200 museums, giving it one of the highest numbers of museums per capita in the world.
Expert tips for Indian travellers
Oren, a professional Israeli tour guide and founder of Travelling Israel, advises Indian travellers to go beyond a checklist approach.
He says visitors should combine major historical sites with local markets, food experiences, nature trails and everyday neighbourhoods to better understand the country.
He also suggests planning travel carefully, staying informed about local conditions and allowing enough time to explore different regions rather than focusing on a single city.
Tourism as a bridge between India and Israel
As India and Israel continue to strengthen ties under the broader diplomatic push symbolised by PM Modi’s outreach, tourism is seen as an important bridge between the two countries.
According to data shared by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, only about 9,600 Indian tourists visited Israel in 2024. Most these travellers were pilgrims. In 2025, the number rose to around 12,500 showing a slow but steady recovery.
Hoffman said the increase is linked to the gradual return of international airlines and expectations that direct flights between India and Israel will be fully restored.
Israeli officials believe that improved connectivity, easier visas and targeted promotion can help restore Indian visitor numbers and possibly exceed pre-pandemic levels in the long term.
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