Israel posts arrival gains from North America
The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) is reporting that North American travel to the destination grew in the third quarter of 2026.
Israel welcomed 154,200 visitors from the United States and Canada between July and September — an 8.6% increase over the same period in 2025. That total included 127,200 U.S. visitors and 27,000 Canadian visitors.
The growth comes as the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) builds momentum for its North American brand campaign, “I Am Israel,” a $2.8 million initiative designed to reconnect travellers with the country’s people, culture and experiences through authentic storytelling and immersive consumer engagement.
Since its June 5 launch on major digital and streaming platforms, the campaign has generated 319 million campaign impressions reaching 105,7000 viewers across the country, underscoring IMOT’s investment in strengthening Israel’s presence in one of its most important international tourism markets.
Yoash Ben Izhak, VP of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, said: “The success of our ‘I Am Israel’ campaign reflects the strong appetite among North American audiences to connect with Israel once again.”
He continued: “From reaching millions of travellers through compelling storytelling to bringing our culture to life through immersive experiences like our ‘Taste of Israel’ food truck, we are creating opportunities for audiences to discover the people, traditions and experiences that make our country so extraordinary.
And he added: “The enthusiasm and engagement we have seen across these initiatives reinforce the power of authentic connections to inspire curiosity, reshape perceptions and ultimately encourage more travellers to experience Israel firsthand. We are excited to build on this momentum as we continue strengthening Israel’s tourism presence across North America.”
As air connectivity between North America and Israel continues to return, marked by the recent resumption of United Airlines service from Chicago on Oct. 24 and Washington, D.C. on Oct. 25, as well as EL AL service from San Francisco on Oct. 25, IMOT remains focused on building sustained awareness, strengthening connections with North American travelers and inspiring future visitation.
Yoram Elgrabli, Tourism Commissioner for North America at the Israel Ministry of Tourism, said: “The increase in arrivals from the United States and Canada is a positive indicator of Israel’s tourism recovery and the continued importance of the North American market.”
