Saturday, May 31, 2025
US, UK, Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, and South Korea joined hands with other global tourism powerhouses at Israel’s IMTM 2025 in Tel Aviv, underscoring a shared commitment to revitalizing and expanding international travel cooperation. Hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the event brought together 24 prominent tour operators from 11 countries to foster strategic partnerships, explore new market opportunities, and position Israel as a diverse and culturally rich destination for global travelers. Their participation reflects a growing demand for cross-border tourism recovery, innovation, and experiential travel in a post-pandemic world.
Israel Showcases Its Tourism Appeal to Global Markets at IMTM 2025, With India Among Key Focus Countries
Showcasing its growing influence in the global travel arena, the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) hosted the prestigious International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) 2025 on May 7–8 at EXPO Tel Aviv. As one of the most anticipated tourism events in the region, IMTM 2025 served as a vibrant meeting ground for international travel leaders, tourism boards, and destination marketers. Drawing participation from 24 top-tier tour operators across 11 countries, the event highlighted Israel’s strategic role in shaping cross-border tourism trends and building lasting global partnerships in a rapidly evolving industry.
Countries represented at IMTM 2025 included the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, the Philippines, Brazil, France, South Korea, Russia, and Spain. Among these, India emerged as a special focus country, highlighting the growing interest in building bilateral tourism partnerships and expanding outbound travel opportunities between the two nations.
India’s Rising Influence in Israel’s Tourism Strategy
India’s expanding role in Israel’s tourism agenda was on full display at IMTM 2025, where top Indian travel experts were specially invited to participate. Their visit marked a strategic push by Israel to strengthen tourism links with the Indian market, offering delegates the chance to forge new partnerships, explore collaborative ventures, and gain firsthand insight into the country’s rich heritage and vibrant attractions.
Among the distinguished Indian delegates were Chandrasekar Krishnakumar of PickYourTrail, a tech-driven travel platform known for customizable international holidays; Manoj Das of Tern Voyages, a luxury experiential travel company; and Vanessa Mehra of Aaryan Holidays, a seasoned expert in curated global travel experiences. Their presence at IMTM signaled India’s increasing relevance in Israel’s inbound tourism marketing efforts and its potential to drive visitor growth.
More Than a Fair: IMTM as a Catalyst for Business and Cultural Exchange
More than just an exhibition, the IMTM served as a platform for strategic dialogue, networking, and direct B2B engagement. The two-day event enabled tour operators, travel agents, and tourism boards to exchange ideas, showcase new travel products, and foster long-term partnerships aimed at mutual growth.
Delegates engaged in a series of structured meetings, breakout sessions, and presentations that addressed the post-pandemic evolution of global travel trends. Discussions focused on sustainable tourism, digital transformation in travel planning, religious pilgrimage routes, wellness tourism, and adventure-based experiences. Such concepts strongly captivate Indian tourists, who are now gravitating toward deeper, experience-driven travel that offers meaningful cultural connections and memorable local encounters.
Gala Evening at Akko: A Glimpse into Israel’s Historical Grandeur
One of the major highlights for the visiting delegates was their attendance at the IMTM Gala Evening, held in the historic Knights’ Halls of Akko (Acre). This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as a majestic backdrop for a culturally rich evening that blended networking, entertainment, and heritage.
The Indian representatives mingled with tourism officials, hoteliers, travel influencers, and industry peers from Israel and other participating countries. The evening was an immersive experience that offered a taste of Israel’s deep historical roots and vibrant contemporary culture. Guests were treated to traditional cuisine, musical performances, and guided tours of the medieval halls—making it a memorable close to a day filled with professional engagements.
Promoting Israel as a Multi-Faceted Destination
During IMTM 2025, the Israel Ministry of Tourism unveiled a refreshed vision aimed at expanding the country’s appeal far beyond its religious heritage. While sacred cities like Jerusalem and Nazareth remain key draws for spiritual travelers, the new focus shifts to showcasing Israel’s modern lifestyle and diverse landscapes. From Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife and arts scene to the therapeutic wonders of the Dead Sea, the untamed beauty of the Negev desert, and the flavorful culinary cultures of Haifa and Eilat, Israel is being positioned as a dynamic, all-encompassing travel destination.
For Indian travelers—who often seek a combination of spiritual depth and modern luxury—Israel offers a compelling mix. From the Western Wall and the Sea of Galilee to bustling Mediterranean beaches and immersive museum experiences, Israel has repositioned itself as a multi-dimensional travel destination.
The Role of India-Israel Travel Corridors
India and Israel share strong diplomatic, economic, and technological ties, and tourism is becoming a valuable extension of this relationship. The establishment of direct flight routes between major Indian cities and Tel Aviv has significantly improved accessibility, making it easier for Indian tourists to explore Israel.
Moreover, niche travel segments such as Bollywood tourism, wedding destinations, Jewish heritage trails, and food tours are being actively marketed to Indian audiences. Travel companies from both countries are exploring customized itineraries and co-branded promotional campaigns to capitalize on these trends.
Building Sustainable Travel Futures Together
Sustainability was also a major theme at IMTM 2025, and India’s participation was vital in shaping conversations around eco-tourism, community-based travel, and digital enablement in the tourism industry. With global travelers becoming more conscious of their environmental impact, both countries are exploring ways to encourage responsible travel practices.
Israel’s green technologies and India’s large outbound traveler base create fertile ground for co-developing eco-friendly tourism models. Tour operators discussed partnerships for guided group tours, technology-enabled itineraries, and regenerative tourism practices that benefit local communities and preserve natural landscapes.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Bilateral Tourism Partnerships
Following the event, feedback from the Indian delegation and Israeli organizers was overwhelmingly positive. Both sides expressed enthusiasm about scaling up joint marketing initiatives, enhancing tour packages, and organizing familiarization (FAM) trips for Indian travel professionals and media.
US, UK, Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, and South Korea participated in Israel’s IMTM 2025 to strengthen global tourism ties and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Their presence reflects a unified effort to revive international travel and promote Israel as a key destination in the Mediterranean region.
With the Indian outbound travel market expected to cross 50 million international travelers by 2030, Israel’s focused efforts at IMTM 2025 position it favorably to capture a meaningful share of that growth. On the other hand, Indian agencies gained fresh insights into curating Israel-centric tours that blend history, modernity, and cultural nuance.
