Full Breakdown
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee Leads Push to Revive American Tourism to Israel
8/11/2026, 7:57:17 AM
Core Event: Meeting to Accelerate U.S. Visitor Numbers
On August 10, 2026, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with senior Israeli tourism officials at the Israel Tourism Recovery Forum in Jerusalem. Attendees included Israel Hotel Association President Eli Cohen, Ministry of Tourism director-general Michael Itzhakov, and hotel-industry leaders David Fattal and Yossi Fatael. The discussion centered on restoring confidence among American travelers, expanding direct air links, and a “Birthright-style” program for young evangelical visitors.
Background & Context
Tourism to Israel fell sharply after the wars that began in 2023. The sector recorded 4.5 million arrivals in 2019, with just over 1 million U.S. visitors generating about 23 billion shekels (? $7.7 billion). By 2025 arrivals had dropped to 1.3 million, reflecting security concerns and flight cancellations. The United States remains Israel’s largest inbound market, making American tourism central to the recovery plan.
Data & Statistics
- 2019: 4.5 million tourists; > 1 million from the United States.
- 2025: 1.3 million tourists entered Israel.
- Average stay (2019): about 9 days per U.S. visitor.
- July (latest data): arrivals rose 28 % year-over-year to roughly 109,000 visitors.
Official Statements & Responses
- Anat Shihor-Aronson, Tourism Ministry spokesperson, said safety is a top priority and highlighted the digital “I Am Israel” campaign targeting U.S. audiences.
- Eli Cohen proposed a national initiative modeled on Birthright Israel to bring young evangelical Americans to biblical sites and build long-term connections.
- David Fattal reiterated that tourism remains a key engine of Israel’s economic growth and emphasized the United States as the most important inbound market.
- Yossi Fatael presented safety indicators showing Israel’s security environment comparable to major European and North American cities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I will continue to be an ambassador for Israel wherever I go,” — Mike Huckabee, ambassador
- “Expanding direct air connectivity between the United States and Israel is essential to accelerating the recovery of inbound tourism,” — Ministry of Tourism
What’s Next
The Ministry of Tourism plans to resume regular U.S. airline service in September, with United and Delta slated to restart flights. Discussions continue on the design and funding of the Birthright-style program, and the “I Am Israel” campaign will stay active through the summer.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree on overall tourist trends but differ on the digital campaign’s impact and the timeline for the Birthright-style program. No definitive schedule has been announced, and independent assessments of the campaign’s effectiveness are not yet available.
