Following a ceasefire on June 24, tourists who were stranded in Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict were finally able to depart the country after both the airport and airspace reopened. However, the future of Israel’s tourism industry, which has been fragile since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, remains uncertain.
The Israel-Iran conflict escalated on June 13, when Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, causing significant disruption to travel and halting the recovery of Israel’s tourism sector. As tensions heightened and Israel’s airport and airspace were shut down, many visitors attempted to exit the country through neighboring Jordan and Egypt.
On June 22, Ben Gurion Airport began operating intermittently, facilitating limited flights carrying no more than 50 passengers. Full operations resumed on June 24, yet doubts persist about how quickly airlines will reinstate direct flights to Tel Aviv. Major airlines have announced substantial suspensions: Delta Airlines will not resume flights to Ben Gurion until at least August 31, and United Airlines has halted its flights through July 1.
In light of these developments, travel operators are also reassessing their offerings. The tour operator ETS Tours has canceled all scheduled trips to Israel for July. David Welch, the vice president of business development for the company, emphasized the temporary nature of this pause, stating, “ETS will reassess tour viability in the near future based on updated guidance from local partners, airlines, global security briefings and potential diplomatic progress.” The company is currently exploring opportunities for fall 2025 programs and is prepared to resume operations contingent on regional stability.
Welch also confirmed that all Travelers from ETS who were in Israel at the outbreak of the war have safely returned home. Ronen Paldi, president of Ya’lla Tours USA, noted that none of his clients were in Israel at the time of the conflict with Iran, and reported that no tourist sites were affected by Iranian retaliation.
Travel advisor Michelle Wiseman Kredi, who specializes in cruise planning and trips to Israel, indicated that she also did not have clients in Israel during this recent escalation. However, the cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the Israel-Hamas war and the present conflict with Iran have created challenges in promoting travel to Israel. A client who recently booked a trip for October has expressed a desire to postpone their travel plans.
Despite the challenges facing Israel’s tourism recovery, Wiseman Kredi believes that there is potential for market rejuvenation, asserting, “We’re on the path there if the ceasefire sticks.” Although current traveler confidence is low, she maintains optimism, stating that once tensions ease, “people will go flooding back in.”
For more information on traveling to Israel, visit the [Israel Ministry of Tourism](https://www.tourism.gov.il/) to stay updated on the situation.
