Gitnux/Report 2026

Israel Tourism Statistics

Israel tourism in 2023 is returning to full rhythm and the scale is startling: 4.9 million foreign visitors plus 2.6% of GDP from tourism, while headline sites draw millions like Jerusalem’s Old City at 3.5 million and Tel Aviv beaches at 2.8 million. You will also see where the travel money went and who is coming now, from an average spend of $1,650 per tourist to 72% hotel occupancy and a fast rebound that makes last year feel like a warm up.
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July 10, 2026Updated
Israel Tourism Statistics
Henrik DahlWritten by Henrik Dahl·Edited by Jonathan Hale·Fact-checked by Olivia Thornton
Published ·Updated
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Israel welcomed 4.9 million foreign tourists in 2023, a year when tourism contributed $12.5 billion to the national economy. This analysis examines where those visitors went and how they spent their time.

Key Takeaways

  • Jerusalem's Old City attracted 3.5 million visitors in 2023
  • Tel Aviv beaches hosted 2.8 million tourists in 2023 summer season
  • Dead Sea resorts saw 1.9 million overnight stays in 2023
  • Tourism contributed 2.6% to Israel's GDP in 2023, valued at $12.5 billion
  • Foreign tourists spent $8.2 billion in Israel in 2023
  • Average spend per tourist: $1,650 in 2023, up 10% from 2022
  • Recovery post-COVID: Tourism arrivals up 130% in 2023 vs 2022
  • Digital marketing ROI: 15:1 return on social campaigns in 2023
  • Sustainable tourism: 40% visitors chose eco-certified hotels in 2023
  • In 2023, Israel welcomed 4.9 million foreign tourists, a 25% increase from 2022 despite regional tensions
  • January 2023 saw 315,000 inbound tourists to Israel, primarily from the US and Europe
  • Russia contributed 512,000 tourists to Israel in 2023, down 40% from pre-pandemic levels
  • 35-44 age group was 28% of 2023 tourists to Israel
  • Families with children made up 22% of visitors in 2023
  • Solo travelers: 15% of total 2023 inbound tourists

In 2023, Israel welcomed 4.9 million foreign tourists, drawn by Jerusalem and the Dead Sea among top attractions.

Related reading

02 · Category

Tourism Revenue26 stats

01
Tourism contributed 2.6% to Israel's GDP in 2023, valued at $12.5 billion
02
Foreign tourists spent $8.2 billion in Israel in 2023
03
Average spend per tourist: $1,650in 2023, up 10% from 2022
04
Hotel revenues from tourism: $3.4 billion in 2023
05
Domestic tourism expenditure: $4.1 billion in 2023
06
Shopping by tourists: $1.8 billion spent on souvenirs and jewelry in 2023
07
Food and beverage spend: $2.3 billion by visitors in 2023
08
Transportation costs for tourists: $1.1 billion in 2023
09
Attractions entry fees generated $450 million in 2023
10
Tax revenue from tourism: $2.8 billion VAT and duties in 2023
11
Employment supported: 250,000 jobs in tourism sector 2023
12
Hotel occupancy rate averaged 72% in 2023, generating $2.9 billion
13
Airbnb and short-term rentals: $650 million revenue in 2023
14
Cruise tourism spend: $180 million in 2023
15
MICE events revenue: $900 million in 2023 conferences
16
Medical tourism: $550 million from health treatments in 2023
17
Adventure tours revenue: $320 million in 2023
18
Cultural tours: $1.2 billion spend in 2023
19
Dead Sea spa revenues: $420 million in 2023
20
Jerusalem hotel revenues: $1.1 billion in 2023
21
Tel Aviv nightlife and dining: $950 million tourist spend 2023
22
Eilat resort area: $780 million from Red Sea tourism 2023
23
Galilee wine tourism: $210 million in 2023
24
Negev desert safaris: $150 million revenue 2023
25
Haifa Bahai gardens entry: $35 million in 2023
26
Tourism export value: 5.1% of total exports at $11.3 billion in 2023
Interpretation

Tourism Revenue Interpretation

Tourism revenue in Israel is strengthening, with 2023 spending totaling $12.5 billion and average tourist spend rising 10% to $1,650 as foreign visitors contributed $8.2 billion and hotel revenues reached $3.4 billion.

More related reading

04 · Category

Tourist Arrivals30 stats

01
In 2023, Israel welcomed 4.9 million foreign tourists, a 25% increase from 2022 despite regional tensions
02
January 2023 saw 315,000 inbound tourists to Israel, primarily from the US and Europe
03
Russia contributed 512,000 tourists to Israel in 2023, down 40% from pre-pandemic levels
04
The United States sent 855,000 visitors to Israel in 2023, accounting for 17.5% of total arrivals
05
France recorded 450,000 tourists to Israel in 2023, up 30% year-over-year
06
UK tourists to Israel reached 320,000 in 2023, with a peak in summer months
07
Germany provided 280,000 visitors in 2023, focusing on cultural heritage sites
08
In Q4 2023, monthly average arrivals were 450,000 tourists
09
Christian pilgrims numbered 1.2 million in 2023, mainly from Europe and Americas
10
Asian tourists (excluding Russia) totaled 180,000 in 2023, led by India and South Korea
11
South American arrivals hit 150,000 in 2023, with Brazil leading at 80,000
12
African tourists to Israel were 45,000 in 2023, primarily from South Africa and Nigeria
13
Oceanian visitors reached 35,000 in 2023, mostly Australians seeking adventure tourism
14
Ben Gurion Airport handled 14.5 million passengers in 2023, 60% international tourists
15
Eilat Airport saw 250,000 tourist entries in 2023 via low-cost carriers
16
In 2019 pre-pandemic peak, Israel had 4.55 million tourists
17
2022 arrivals recovered to 2.1 million amid COVID restrictions lifting
18
October 2023 arrivals dropped 75% to 150,000 due to conflict
19
First half of 2023: 2.65 million tourists
20
Air India flights boosted Indian tourists by 20% to 45,000 in 2023
21
Chinese group tours resumed with 25,000 visitors in late 2023
22
Ethiopian Jewish heritage tourism: 12,000 visitors in 2023
23
Jordanian day-trippers: 1.1 million crossings in 2023 via Allenby Bridge
24
Egyptian visitors via Taba border: 850,000 in 2023
25
Palestinian tourists from West Bank: 3.2 million visits in 2023
26
Cruise ship passengers: 120,000 docked in Haifa and Ashdod in 2023
27
First-time visitors comprised 65% of 2023 total arrivals
28
Repeat visitors: 1.7 million in 2023, averaging 3 prior trips
29
Group tours: 40% of 2023 arrivals, individual: 60%
30
55% of 2023 tourists arrived by direct flights
Interpretation

Tourist Arrivals Interpretation

In the Tourist Arrivals category, Israel drew 4.9 million foreign tourists in 2023, up 25% from 2022, showing strong recovery momentum even as Russia arrivals fell to 512,000, down 40% from pre pandemic levels.

05 · Category

Visitor Demographics26 stats

01
35-44 age group was 28% of 2023 tourists to Israel
02
Families with children made up 22% of visitors in 2023
03
Solo travelers: 15% of total 2023 inbound tourists
04
Female tourists: 52% of arrivals in 2023, slight majority
05
Jewish visitors: 60% of 2023 total, including diaspora
06
Christian pilgrims: 25% of 2023 visitors
07
Muslim tourists: 8% in 2023, mainly from Turkey and Indonesia
08
Under 25 years old: 12% of 2023 tourists
09
Seniors over 65: 18% of arrivals in 2023
10
US tourists average stay 10.5 days in 2023
11
European visitors average group size 4.2 persons in 2023
12
42% of 2023 tourists had higher education degrees
13
Income level: 55% middle-upper class among 2023 visitors
14
LGBTQ+ travelers: 7% identified in 2023 surveys
15
Adventure seekers: 32% primary motivation for 2023 tourists
16
Cultural tourists: 48% in 2023
17
Foodies: 25% cited gastronomy as main interest in 2023
18
Wellness seekers: 19% of 2023 visitors, mainly Dead Sea
19
Business-leisure combo: 11% of 2023 arrivals
20
First generation immigrants' relatives: 5% of visitors in 2023
21
Language proficiency: 68% spoke English among 2023 tourists
22
Booking method: 75% online platforms in 2023
23
Social media influence: 62% discovered Israel via Instagram/TikTok in 2023
24
28% vegetarian/vegan among 2023 tourists
25
Mobility: 45% used public transport in 2023
26
Satisfaction rate: 92% of 2023 tourists recommended Israel
Interpretation

Visitor Demographics Interpretation

In 2023, Israel’s visitor demographics leaned toward a family and female mix, with women making up 52% of arrivals and families with children accounting for 22% of visitors, while age 35 to 44 represented the largest share at 28%.
report visual · Key figures

Israel tourism recovery and resilience in 2023

Arrivals rebounded in 2023 even with setbacks later in the year.

130%
Recovery post-COVID: Tourism arrivals up 130% in 2023 vs 2022
2022
2022 arrivals recovered to 2.1 million amid COVID restrictions lifting
75%
October 2023 arrivals dropped 75% to 150,000 due to conflict
2023
First half of 2023: 2.65 million tourists
2019
In 2019 pre-pandemic peak, Israel had 4.55 million tourists
Reference

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APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Israel Tourism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/israel-tourism-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Israel Tourism Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/israel-tourism-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Israel Tourism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/israel-tourism-statistics.

Sources & references

95 datasets cited across this report

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