118 thousand tourists from Russia visited Israel this year. The tourist flow decreased by 58% compared to the same period of the record-breaking 2019.

Among foreign countries, Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkey were the most in demand in early May.

According to experts, in general, due to the easing of entry protocols, the demand for tours to Israel in Russia can grow by 15-20%.

The Israeli authorities will not prevent Russian tourists vaccinated with Sputnik vaccine from entering the country.

From December 1, such a popular destination - including winter period - as Israel may be opened for Russian tourists.

Israel hopes to open up to organized groups of Russian tourists as early as October and admit individual tourists in November.

The Israeli authorities have decided to add Russia to the list of states where entry during the coronavirus pandemic is allowed without the approval of the special commission.

Foreigners, including Russians, who travel to Israel in order to treat diseases associated with a threat to human life, will receive permission to enter.

Ministry of Tourism of Israel: we expect to return Russian tourists in the autumn

The restoration of flights with Russia in the Israeli Ministry of Tourism is forecasted not earlier than in September.

Israel plans to return to active marketing in the Russian market after the end of the coronavirus pandemic but the possibility of extending the program and payment amounts depends on the epidemiological situation around the world.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, in 2019, 318 100 Russians entered the country. One of the reasons of the increase in demand for the Eilat route was the launch of budget transportation on flights of the Russian Pobeda low-cost airline.

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism announced an increase in tourist flow from Russia to Israel by 11% in January 2020 compared to the same period the previous year. For a month, 22 thousand tourists from Russia visited the country.

The dynamics of the first half of the season (from September 8, 2019 to January 11, 2020) is positive: 106 flights were operated with an average load of 84%. In total, 17 462 guests from the Russian Federation arrived at Ramon Airport, which is 8% more than last year.

Ural Airlines will increase the frequency of flights between Krasnodar and Tel Aviv since March 29.

The promotion policy on the Russian market of the “Red Sea” Israeli resort Eilat continues to justify itself: the interest of Russian tourists in Eilat and the Dead Sea continues to grow steadily.

A high-level delegation from Russia arrived in Israel in an attempt to curb a diplomatic game between Moscow and Tel Aviv over tourist entries.

The positive dynamics of the tourist flow in Israel is connected with an expanding of flight programs from Russia. In addition to charters arranged by tour operators, the number of scheduled flights has been increased.

"The services of the international Sochi airport named after Sevastjanov informed that there were 101 623 passengers from Israel and that is 133% flow growth from this country in comparison to 2018. Israir company and Ural airlines work on this destination. Both carriers use A-320 on the route. The number of visitors from UAE during the first 9 months of 2019 has increased in 17 times. Thus 6 753 guests from Dubai arrived Sochi during 9 months of this year. "

At the start of the winter season, tour operators positively assess the demand for tours to Israel. The sales driver is the Red Sea resort of Eilat: a number of hotels there already have a shortage of rooms for November holidays.

The tour operator Tui Russia has analyzed the demand for the New Year holidays and compiled a rating of tourist destinations where Russians plan to travel with their children.

From 2020, Cyprus and Israel will promote joint travel packages for tourists in Russia, the U.S. and Germany, focusing on golf, gastronomy and wellness holidays.

Azimut air company announced the start of flight program to Tel-Aviv from Rostov-on-Don. The flights are planned to be fulfilled twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.

Russian tourists travel more actively to Israel. Sales rates exceed last year’ figures by at least 15-20%. In the first nine months of this year, more than 219 thousand Russian tourists visited Israel, which is 4% more than the same period last year.

In mid-October tour operators named the most popular destinations for the November holidays. At the peak of popularity are Turkey, the UAE, Cyprus, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Cuba.