Israel’s US-Bound Travel and Tourism Market 2024

The United States remains a popular destination for the Israeli traveler, with travel expected to grow after Israel’s acceptance into the visa waiver program.

The United States continues to be Israelis’ favorite long-distance destination. In 2023, over 301,000 Israelis traveled to the United States for both business and leisure. The most popular leisure activities Israelis engage in are shopping, sightseeing, and visiting theme parks and museums. 

Israel and the United States have strong commercial and trade ties, reflected by the volume of Israeli business travelers frequenting the United States, and represent a significate share of the incoming travel. Notably, many Israelis have relatives living in the U.S. or possess a dual citizenship, Israeli and American, a fact that contributes to the total number of U.S.-bound travel from Israel.

There are direct flights from Israel to 9 airports in the United States, operated by United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and the Israeli-owned El Al Airlines. The top five most visited states by Israelis are New York, California, Nevada, Florida, and New Jersey. Israeli travelers are adventurous and open to new destinations; Israelis are closely familiar with U.S. culture and are receptive to marketing campaigns for other top destinations in the United States. In 2023, Israeli tourists spent an average of $2,800 per trip. As the travel and tourism industry continues to recover from the pandemic, as does the economy, the amount of dollars Israeli travelers spend in the U.S. is expected to increase as well.

In November 2023, Israel was officially welcomed into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Through the program Israeli citizens can travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays up to 90 days without a visa.  Israel’s admittance into the VWP is expected to significantly increase travel and tourism from Israel to the United States, with some experts estimating that travel volume will double by 2026. While the Israel-Hamas War has impacted the number of flights to the United States in 2024, operating airlines have reported that existing flights are near full capacity with anticipation that travel numbers will quickly rebound once hostilities have ended.  

For more information on promoting the United States as a travel destination in Israel or the Israeli travel and tourism market, please contact Commercial Specialist Inbar Marom at: Inbar.Marom@trade.gov.