TRAVEL
Israel’s Director General of Tourism, Michael Izhakov, embarked on a U.S. tour last week with a clear message: despite the war with Iran, Israel remains open and safe for visitors. Speaking in Los Angeles, he noted that not a single tourist has been killed in Israel over the past two and a half years, arguing the country is safer than many destinations in Europe or South America.
Tourism has fallen roughly 30% since October 7, 2023, hurting hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Izhakov’s strategy targets next winter rather than this summer, since American travelers plan far in advance. His outreach includes Hollywood producers, pastors, Jewish community leaders, and investors, alongside a new campaign called “I Am Israel.” He also wants to engage Jewish communities more directly, noting that two-thirds of Jews worldwide have never visited Israel.
In New York, Izhakov visited Queens, where he met and interviewed with Rafael Nektalov, Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times, as part of his effort to strengthen ties with Jewish communities across the U.S.
During the war, his ministry ran a free evacuation operation, helping roughly 4,000 tourists leave by air and busing others to Jordan and Egypt — though remarkably, many of the 37,000 tourists in Israel chose to stay. With about 17 new hotels expected to open this year and airlines like Lufthansa resuming flights, Izhakov sees air connectivity as the key to recovery.