Tag Archives: Israel

Israel launches e-Visa system for Indian tourists

 

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has kicked off 2025 with a significant milestone by launching an electronic visa system exclusively for Indian travellers, effective January 1, 2025. This innovative e-Visa platform marks a turning point in Israel-India tourism relations, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly visa application process. Currently available only to Indian nationals residing in India, this pilot program is expected to expand to tourists from other nations in the future.

Designed to enhance the tourist experience, the e-Visa system enables Indian visitors to apply digitally, ensuring convenience and accessibility. Key features include quick submissions from anywhere, simplified documentation requirements, and integration with Israel’s Entry Travel Authorization (ETA) system. This advancement aims to make Israel a more attractive and accessible destination for Indian tourists.

While the e-Visa service caters to individual travellers, group visa applications will continue to be processed through traditional channels. Travelers can access the e-Visa platform via the official government portal (www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page). The initiative aligns with Israel’s broader strategy to modernise entry procedures and boost inbound tourism.

This strategic move reflects Israel’s commitment to fostering stronger tourism ties with India, a growing and significant market for its tourism sector. By addressing the specific needs of Indian travellers, Israel has not only streamlined the travel process but also ensured high standards of security and efficiency. This development signals a bright future for enhanced collaboration and increased travel between the two nations.

Israel Tourism eyes Indian Adventure Market

 

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) recently participated in the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, marking its debut at the event. IMOT aimed to promote Israel as an adventure destination while strengthening ties with Indian tourism professionals and stakeholders. Discussions centered around sustainable travel initiatives, collaboration opportunities, and familiarisation trips to offer Indian tour operators firsthand experiences of Israel’s adventure offerings.

Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT-India, emphasised Israel’s diverse appeal for thrill-seekers. She highlighted activities like hiking in Eilat’s rugged mountains, rappelling in the Golan Heights, and scuba diving in the Red Sea, which make Israel an unparalleled adventure destination. IMOT’s participation allowed for deeper insights into the Indian adventure travel market and encouraged travel agents to incorporate Israel’s unique experiences into their itineraries.

Israel has seen a steady increase in Indian tourists, with 8,500 visitors from January to October. With the upcoming Jubilee year celebrations, IMOT is keen on leveraging its potential to attract more Indian travellers. The convention reaffirmed its commitment to diversifying tourism products and building lasting partnerships with the Indian travel trade.

The shared passion for exploration between India and Israel offers immense growth opportunities for adventure tourism. IMOT’s active engagement at ATOAI sets the foundation for increased tourist arrivals and stronger cultural ties between the two nations.

Israel Ministry of Tourism Assures Global Travellers of Safety and Accessibility

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) held a virtual meeting recently to update travel agents, tour operators, media professionals, and the broader travel community in India about the current situation in Israel. Led by Hassan Madah, Director of North America Marketing and Administration, and Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing for IMOT India, the meeting focused on traveller safety.

IMOT assured participants that most of Israel is open to tourism, despite heightened attention in certain border regions. The discussion also clarified practical travel concerns, including the visa process, travel insurance options, and multiple-entry visa requirements.
Attendees learned about Israel’s diverse offerings, from pilgrimage sites and beautiful beaches to vibrant nightlife and adventure tourism. IMOT emphasized that Israel remains an appealing destination for all types of travellers.

Highlighting the number of outbound travellers that Israel welcomed in 2024, Bangera stated, “The year of 2024 has witnessed a gradual yet steady rise in tourism to Israel, with 6,800 visitors from travelling from India and 672,400 globally, from January to August. Despite the current situation, we remain optimistic about continuing this growth as tourism across the country remains fully operational, with most areas being safe for travel. We are also working to streamline the visa process to make it easier for travellers to experience the beauty and diversity that Israel has to offer.”

The Ministry looks forward to further strengthening its collaboration with global travel partners to encourage more visitors to discover the rich experiences Israel has to offer.

Sri Lanka eyeing to best it’s 2018 visitor numbers in 2024

With over 1.2 million visitors recorded in the first seven months, for the anticipated peak season Oct-Nov-Dec windfall, Sri Lanka Tourism is confident of achieving its target of 2.3 million tourists for 2024. Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman, SLTPB (Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau), spoke to Shayan Mallick in an exclusive chat.
After a tumultuous few years that started with Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, followed by Covid-19 pandemic and lastly, the economic crisis of 2022, Sri Lanka is finally set to dominate the travel charts once again.
The island nation looks comfortable to achieve its target of 2.3 million international tourist arrivals, and USD 4.6 billion in tourism revenue during 2024. Sri Lanka had registered its record tourism year in 2018 when international tourist arrival surpassed 2.3 million visitors for the first time.
At over 99.9%, Sri Lanka had nearly achieved its 2023 arrival target of 1.5 million that came slightly undone because of geopolitical exigencies like the Russia-Ukraine war and more recently, the crisis in Israel.
“Sri Lanka missed the target by a mere 10,000 visitors because of the two ongoing wars, or we would have jumped the target of 1.5 million because we were getting lot of tourists from these countries as well”, believes Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). He spoke recently to TravelBiz Monitor, in an exclusive chat, on the sidelines of an award function in New Delhi.
“This year, our target is to reach 2.3 million tourists which are also our best numbers from 2018. We have already received over 1.2 million visitors in the first seven months. But don’t forget that, especially for the European market, the winter season is coming. October, November and December months are going to be very big. We are expecting about 700,000 to 750,000 visitors within these three months alone, that’s excluding the visitors for the August and September months. So I am pretty confident that we will achieve our target of 2.3 million figures,” he added.
Gajabahu also pointed that Sri Lanka’s tourism source markets are diverse and they are keen to maintain it that way. “India has always been our number one market. It was our number one market in 2023, and this year as well. We want it to grow to all categories of visitors. India will be our top market for a long time to come and we want it to be. However, Sri Lanka is a very neutral country. Whether it is India, China, Russia, the UK, France, Germany or the US, we are very welcoming to tourists from across the world.”
Commenting on the turnaround, the SLTPB head pointed, “We went through a very troublesome period before 2022 for five years! When you go through an economic crisis with long queues for essential commodities like food, medicines and petrol, no one wants to visit that country. But, in the past two years, with all that we have done, not only in India but globally, with road shows, promotions and influencer campaigns like ‘Seeing is Believing’, we are now in the top five travel indexes, wherever in the world, from the Fortune to the Forbes, and lot of other such platforms.”
In June 2022, Sri Lanka, said Gajabahu, became the first country to come to India to do the roadshow and also “India was the first country we went to because we knew that India was our next door big brother. It was the market we knew very well that we can handle, and I must admit that all the associations, especially TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) and Jyoti Mayal came forward to help and committed to bring tourists to Sri Lanka.” TAAI organised its 67th Annual Convention in Sri Lanka last year themed around regional tourism promotion.
Furthermore, under its influencer campaigns like ‘Seeing is Believing’, Sri Lanka hosted no less than 200 global journalists and social media influencers in the last one and half years, earning the island nation receive a lot of positive coverage across the globe that gave a huge fillip to its destination image. Recently, Times of India rated Sri Lanka as the second ‘Most Popular Travel Destination in Asia.’ It was also voted as one of the safest countries for the single women travellers.
“There are many good things happening in Sri Lanka, and we hope to continue the momentum,” said Gajabahu.

Israel marks 76th Independence Day in Mumbai

 

The Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai celebrated Israel’s 76th Independence Day with a gala event at the St. Regis Hotel, emphasising the strong ties between Israel and India. The event brought together notable figures from politics, business, the Indian film industry, and civil society, showcasing the depth of the Israel-India relationship. Among the key attendees were Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former MP Subramanian Swamy, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, and Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Patankar Mhaskar, alongside Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon and Consul General Kobbi Shoshani.

The evening, hosted by Vinod Advani, reflected on Israel’s transformation from its humble beginnings to a global leader in agriculture and technology. The consulate highlighted how this progress parallels India’s remarkable development, forming the foundation for mutual understanding and collaboration between the two nations. The celebration also marked the end of Ambassador Naor Gilon’s successful three-year tenure in India, with a video showcasing the achievements in defense, agriculture, tourism, and cultural exchange under his leadership.

Ahead of the state election, dignitaries, including Deputy CM Fadnavis, expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship between India and Israel, noting the unique historical bond between the people of both countries. Their presence and support symbolised stronger ties between the nations. Fadnavis remarked on the shared rich history and modern civilization of both countries, emphasising Israel’s inspiring story of progress and the potential for further growth in relations.

Consul General Kobbi Shoshani concluded the event by expressing gratitude for India’s treatment of Jews and highlighting Israel’s transformation from a poor country at independence to a leader in innovation, industry, and agriculture. The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) views this event as a milestone, inviting more Indian travellers to experience Israel’s diverse attractions, from historical sites and adventure activities to sustainability and technology hubs, offering a blend of the ancient and modern.

Air India cancels flights to Tel Aviv due to Israel-Iran tensions

Air India has cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv on Thursday amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran which have led to several global airlines suspending operations to the Ben Gurion Airport.

United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways suspended their operations to Israel.

The decision came in the wake of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Iran’s capital after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran has blamed Israel for the strike.

Air India said passengers with confirmed bookings on the two flights would be provided with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellations charges.

Germany’s Lufthansa and another airline from the same group, Swiss International Air Lines, have cancelled all passenger and cargo flights to and from Tel Aviv with immediate effect till August 8.

They have also extended a suspension of flights to the Lebanese capital Beirut till August 12.