Israel’s Top Visitor Experiences

While a small country in terms of geography, Israel offers a wealth of different experiences and unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy.

Travel Market Report asked Israel specialist agents and tour operators to fill us in on Israel’s top visitor experiences.

Here’s what they had to say about those experiences—and the sales opportunities they present for agents.  

Religious heritage tours
Without a doubt, Israel’s rich religious heritage is one of its major attractions.

Landmarks such as The Western Wall, Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Garden of Gethsemane, the Dome of the Rock, and al-Aqsa Mosque make for life-changing experiences.

Not surprisingly, tours focusing on the Jewish, Catholic and Evangelical Christian faiths abound.
 
And religious heritage travel to Israel is expected to grow.

Pope Francis’ May 2014 visit to Israel energized the Catholic market. And Israel’s Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) is actively pursuing Evangelical Christians.

Interfaith tours co-led by rabbis and Catholic priests are burgeoning as well. They typically visit biblical sites of both faiths, such as Jerusalem; Bethlehem; Safed, the center of Jewish Kabbalah, and Nazareth.  
 
Special events
Special events are another segment of the religious market with strong potential for agents. Specifically destination weddings, vow renewals and Bar/Bat Mitzvah tours are among the events.
 
“Israel makes a unique place to celebrate a wedding,” said Dina Aharon, founder of Go Israel North America.

“Many Christian couples renew their vows  at the Wedding Church in Nazareth. Israel is also the ultimate setting for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.”

Bar/Bat Mitzvah tours often include ceremonies performed at the Western Wall or other iconic sites.

“The idea is to provide families with a Jewish heritage tour that connects both the child and the family back to their Jewish roots,” said Aharon.

“We also include symbolic activities like planting a tree in the Soil of the Land or participating in tzdaka (charity) activities, such as preparing food for the poor.”

History and culture
A visit to Israel is “a bucket list tour for all those who are interested in history,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, director of strategic product and product development for Collette.

Though its history dates back millennia, Israel’s treasures are still being uncovered—literally.

“Archaeology is a national sport,” said Aharon. “Every month we have a new archaeological finding somewhere. History is always unfolding.”

That history unfolds in dramatic outdoor settings, such as Masada. Visitors can ascend by cable car to the mountain fortress where one of the most dramatic events in Jewish history took place.

Museums, such as Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and the Shrine of the Book, serve as further testaments to a rich history.   

Upscale hotel, resort and spa visits   
Tour operators and agents agree: if you haven’t been to Israel lately, you haven’t been to Israel. And that’s especially true in the hotel and resort segment.

A number of new properties have opened with the upscale traveler in mind. They include the 70-room Heiku Resort & Spa Mt. Gilboa in Hephzibah, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Marina, and the boutique Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv.

Also attracting attention is the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, which is located inside the walls of the former Palace Hotel.

“All the major hotels are making improvements to keep up with demands of American travelers,” said Ilana Apelboim, COO and senior vice president of operations for IsramWorld. “Everyone is refurbishing, adding concierge levels and business lounges.”

Food and wine tours
Cuisine in Israel reflects a mosaic of cultural influences. An amalgam of Middle Eastern, European and even American favorites, Israeli cuisine has grown more sophisticated.

And from food stands to fine dining, serious foodies are paying attention.

Jerusalem’s Machaneh Yehuda Market is a long-standing favorite. And the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv is the largest indoor food emporium in Israel.

Its shops, landscaped gardens and cafes are especially popular in the evening. For the more adventurous, the Druze villages in the north of Israel offer a distinctive culinary appeal.

Wine tourism is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it’s growing along with the heightened interest in all things culinary.  

“We can design an entire tour that visits wineries from the north of Israel to the south,” said Aharon.

“What makes it more amazing is the history that goes with it. You will see ancient cities from Talmudic times that produce some of the best wines,” said Aharon.

“We can design an entire tour that visits wineries from the north of Israel to the south. What makes it more amazing is the history that goes with it. You will see ancient cities from Talmudic times that produce some of the best wines,” said Aharon.

“Israel of today is not just about visiting sites. It’s about having a full experience in the destination. And cuisine is a major part of that,” said Isram World’s Apelboim.