The events brought together approximately 300 travel trade professionals, including travel agents, tour operators and industry representatives. The roadshows also saw participation from destination management companies (DMCs) Amaris Tours and Events, Magi Holidays and Satguru Travel.
The events showcased Israel’s diverse tourism offerings, including leisure and family travel, luxury tourism, MICE, culture, adventure and unique experiences, extending beyond its traditional image as a pilgrimage destination. The programme featured destination presentations, video screenings and face-to-face interactions with travel trade professionals, aimed at strengthening industry relationships and broadening awareness of Israel as a tourism destination.
Strategic Partnership with OTOAI
A key highlight of the Mumbai roadshow was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Israel Ministry of Tourism and the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), marking an important milestone in the Ministry’s relationship with the Indian travel industry.
The agreement was signed by Himanshu Kesari Patil, President of OTOAI, and Galit Hoffman, Consul for Tourism Affairs, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India.
The MOU establishes a framework for long-term cooperation between the two organisations, including joint destination promotion, professional training, familiarisation (FAM) trips, marketing initiatives and other activities aimed at increasing awareness of Israel and developing business opportunities for the Indian travel trade.
Galit Hoffman, Consul for Tourism Affairs, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India, said:
“There is no substitute for meeting our travel trade partners face to face. These interactions allow us to strengthen relationships, better understand the market’s needs and explore new opportunities together. They have reinforced our belief in the tremendous potential of the Indian market.
Our partnership with OTOAI goes far beyond the signing of an agreement. It represents a meaningful vote of confidence in Israel as a tourism destination; in the diversity of experiences, it offers and in the future of tourism between our two countries. We deeply value the trust of our Indian partners and see this collaboration as a shared, long-term commitment to strengthening ties and unlocking our tourism potential.
India is an important strategic market for us, and we remain committed to working closely with our industry partners to introduce more Indian travellers to the many diverse experiences Israel has to offer.”
Tourism Recovery and Renewed Air Connectivity
The roadshows and the partnership with OTOAI come amid encouraging signs of a gradual recovery in international tourism to Israel.
According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, approximately 140,000 tourists visited Israel in September 2026, an increase of 19% compared to September 2025. Based on current trends, tourist arrivals are projected to exceed 1.1 million by the end of 2026.
India is Israel’s largest Asian source market and one of its top ten international source markets, highlighting its strategic importance and significant growth potential.
Another important development for the Indian market is the upcoming resumption of Air India’s direct Delhi-Tel Aviv flights from 1 December 2026, with five weekly services. The return of the route is expected to make travel to Israel more convenient for Indian visitors and create new opportunities for the travel industries of both countries.
Alongside Air India, major international carriers, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and KLM, have also resumed direct flights to Israel in recent months. Their return reflects renewed confidence among international airlines in the destination and further strengthens Israel’s global air connectivity.
Strengthening Long-Term Engagement with the Indian Market
The three-city roadshow forms part of the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s broader strategy to expand its presence in India and deepen cooperation with the local travel industry.
Building on this momentum, the Ministry will continue to promote professional training, familiarisation trips, webinars, B2B meetings and joint initiatives with travel trade and media partners, with the aim of strengthening destination knowledge and encouraging the development of new tourism products tailored to Indian travellers.
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