3 weeks ago
Israel among countries wooing travellers back at Gujarat tourism fair
A big travel fair was held in Gandhinagar, India.
It is called the Travel and Tourism Fair 2026.
It lasted for three days.
Many countries and Indian states took part.
They wanted to invite more tourists and business back.
Israel was chosen as the special featured country.
Fewer Indian tourists have been visiting Israel lately.
In 2019, 65,900 Indians went to Israel.
By 2025, that number had dropped to 13,600.
Israel's tourism office says it is growing again and hopes to return to the old numbers.
Israel was the 'featured country' at the three-day Travel and Tourism Fair 2026 held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The fair saw country and state representatives working to bring back tourists and business after the West Asia crisis.
Indian visitors to Israel fell from 65,900 in 2019 to 44,000 in 2023 and to 13,600 in 2025.
Israel Ministry of Tourism marketing director Amruta Bangera said tourism 'has been impacted but I think we are growing.'
Bangera said it 'should not be a problem' for Israel to reach its 2019 tourism numbers from India again.
- Who
- Country and state tourism representatives at the fair, with Israel as the featured country; Israel Ministry of Tourism marketing director Amruta Bangera spoke on behalf of Israel.
- What
- The Travel and Tourism Fair 2026, aimed at bringing back tourists and business in the wake of the West Asia crisis.
- Where
- Mahatma Mandir convention and exhibition centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
- When
- 2026, as a three-day fair.
- Why
- To revive tourism after the West Asia crisis caused a massive drop in visitor numbers, including Indian travellers to Israel.
Key facts
- Event
- Travel and Tourism Fair 2026
- Duration
- Three days
- Location
- Mahatma Mandir convention and exhibition centre, Gandhinagar
- Israel's Role
- Featured country
- Indian visitors to Israel (2019)
- 65,900
- Indian visitors to Israel (2023)
- 44,000
- Indian visitors to Israel (2025)
- 13,600
- Spokesperson
- Amruta Bangera, Marketing Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism
Quotes
Amruta Bangera
Marketing Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism
“It has been impacted but I think we are growing”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Turkiye Seeks to Rebuild India Ties After 2025 Boycott
Abu Dhabi Expands India Outreach to Boost Tourism
Rajasthan foreign tourist visits jump 336% in six years
Goa Records 61.38 Lakh Visitors as Charter Bookings Rise
US Advisory Review Raises Hopes for Foreign Tourists in Kashmir
China's visa-free push pays off as tourist arrivals jump 20%
Sports Authority Names Gandhinagar Director as IPS Reshuffle Looms
Gujarat Summit 2027 to Target Semiconductors, Green Hydrogen and AI
Gujarat Digitizes Grain Distribution Across Warehouses and Fair Price Shops
Prashant Singh appointed Regional Director of SAI Gandhinagar centre
Modi, Shah Celebrate Raksha Bandhan Amid BJP Tensions
