As Tourism Rebounds In Israel, Upcoming Special Sites And Events

Tourism is back, big time, in Israel. The Israel Ministry of Tourism has continued to see an increase of travelers from the United States to Israel month after month, reaching and surpassing record-breaking numbers of 2019. In November 2022, the country welcomed 85,100+ total travelers from the United States, a nine percent increase from 2019.

“We couldn’t be happier to once again see record-breaking tourist entries from the United States,” said Eyal Carlin, Tourism Commissioner for North America.

“As we look forward to 2023, we are working to continue our upward trajectory of entries to Israel from the United States, as we welcome new visitors and returnees alike!”

Here are a few of the special events and places to visit in Israel now, and in months to come.

Tel Aviv Winter Pride 2022 — (Through December 30, 2022.) The Tel Aviv-Yafo LGBTQ+ center is holding a variety of unique winter pride events during Hanukkah throughout the city. For the first time, the center has decided to highlight pride during the winter, in addition to the traditional summer pride events like the Tel Aviv Pride parade and celebration.

Among the events: an LGBTQ+ art festival and celebration of queer nightlife that includes an LGBTQ+ art fair, drag shows, pole dancing, spoken word, musical performances, various workshops and a wide variety of artist stands.

Year-Round Summer in Israel — (All Winter.) With warm weather nearly year-round, pristine beaches and fresh, creative cuisine, Israel offers travelers a delightful winter experience. With average temperatures as warm as 70 degrees and a prime location along the Mediterranean Sea, Israel maintains a comfortable climate for both exploration and relaxation.

You can enjoy the beaches of Tel Aviv, long strolls through the old city of Jerusalem, or spending a day floating in the Dead Sea. Outdoor activities, cultural and culinary experiences, and comfortable year-round temperatures, add up to warm-weather pleasures.

Summer in the City music festival, Tel Aviv Hayarkon Park — (May 31 and June 1, 2023.) Tel Aviv’s iconic Hayarkon Park will once again host a music festival featuring leading international performers. A line-up of international music stars, features Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Martin Garrix, Callum Scott and more at the two-day Summer in the City music festival. Israeli pop stars Static and NUNU will add local flavor.

Visit Kfar Kama – recognized by the UNWTO as a ‘Tourist Village’ — The Israel Ministry of Tourism announced that the Circassian community of Kfar Kama has been selected by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be included in its exclusive 2022 list of tourist villages recommended to visit.

The objective of this prestigious competition, now in its second year, is to promote and enhance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages (up to 15,000 residents), along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, knowledge systems, and local values and activities, including gastronomy.

Kfar Kama encompasses historic narrative about the Circassian community living near the Kfar Tabor, which was founded over 150 years ago by Muslim Circassians, originating from the Caucasus.

The Circassian villages in Israel, (the other is Rehaniya), allows you to travel through a time tunnel, with unique architecture and a museum of Circassian culture. The conservation of the community’s heritage and culture includes dance performances, tourist festivals, and unique culinary dishes.

The village’s infrastructure has been renovated with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism. It includes restaurants, family riding attractions, a dairy offering workshops on cheese making processes, and the Circassian Heritage Conservation Center, which offers tours of the old village alleyways, a sound and light show and tastings from Circassian cuisine.

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