A record increase in the number of travelers, a shortage of airliners and hotel beds, as well as changing policies in European countries pose new challenges for tourists and tour operators. Which destinations will be most popular among Israelis this year and what changes have occurred in their preferences?
Maariv reports research data from Eshet Tours, according to which the world will receive about one and a half billion tourists in 2025.
This is 15% more than in 2024 and 2% higher than the pre-coronavirus level of 2019. However, such activity is accompanied by serious problems.
Main challenges of the global tourism industry
Production delays at airline giants Boeing and Airbus have led to a shortage of planes, especially in Europe, where older models are being phased out due to poor economic efficiency. The situation is exacerbated by the influx of American tourists to Europe, which exacerbates the shortage of hotel rooms, especially those equipped for a comfortable stay in extreme heat.
Trends among Israeli tourists
Israeli travel agencies expect demand for summer holidays to increase, especially after the end of the war or at least a significant reduction in its intensity. Many Israelis who postponed travel due to the conflict are planning to return to vacation, which will be facilitated by the general stabilization of the economic situation.
The popularity of classic European routes is gradually declining. Natural disasters, overcrowding in traditional tourist destinations and rising prices are fueling the emergence of new destinations. The Israelis are focusing on lesser-known but promising regions such as Poland, Montenegro, Cyprus and the Balkan countries. Cyprus, in particular, is preparing a lot of new things: water parks and all-inclusive resorts at competitive prices.
Leaders of preference 2025
Close and accessible destinations remain popular among Israeli tourists: Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Georgia. At the same time, Turkey, previously considered a favorite holiday destination, is temporarily removed from the list due to the current situation.
China is starting to cautiously reopen to tourists, with the US, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, South Korea and the Philippines remaining favorites for long-haul destinations.
Domestic tourism
In the domestic market, special attention is paid to holidays in northern Israel. Summer holidays in Zimmers and hotels in the region are once again gaining popularity. An additional incentive will be provided by vacation vouchers that the state will allocate to reservists who participated in military operations.
In the face of high competition and changes in tourism policy, Israelis demonstrate flexibility, choosing new destinations and adapting to the challenges of the time. 2025 will be a year of not only challenges, but also opportunities to open new horizons.
Earlier, Cursor reported that from January 1, tourists in Israel will experience an important change.