When Amruta Bangera, Director of Advertising and marketing on the Israel Ministry of Tourism—India, arrived in Hyderabad, the go to was anchored round what she describes as ‘a vital seminar with the cardinal.” However there may be extra within the pipeline.
“There’s something main arising,” she says rigorously, selecting her phrases as discussions proceed. “As a result of it’s nonetheless on, I don’t need to make the announcement. However I’ll inform you there’s something main arising. The connections between the 2 international locations are so phenomenal. And now we have all skilled it and now we have but to expertise it. So we’re ready for the foremost bulletins. It’s going to be superb.”
India as we speak sits firmly among the many precedence markets for Israel. “We’re within the high 4 markets that Israel is specializing in. And amongst Asia, I believe we’re one of many most budgets accepted. Simply due to how essential the India market is strategically,” she explains. Even in periods of battle, intent to journey remained sturdy. “Even in the course of the struggle occasions, we had some surveys finished. And we got here to know that India is a kind of markets the place folks will journey. Folks need to journey.”
Within the quick aftermath of the disaster, pilgrimage journey led the way in which. “Principally from pilgrim, at the very least for the start 12 months. However we all know that it’s going to alter. It’s already within the run.” She factors to the current participation at OTM in January. “The one questions have been what’s there to do in leisure? What’s there to do in MICE? How can we get linked to the DMC? So it was actually good. The expertise that we had as a ministry and the DMC. We all know the curiosity is an excessive amount of amongst the folks. And it’s only a matter of time.”
Whereas pilgrimage has at all times been a gradual pillar, the bigger ambition is evident. “Now we have at all times centered on leisure and MICE from the start. However after the disaster, it was simpler for the pilgrims to go since you don’t have to push. It’s their religion. It’s a holy land. They may go. However relating to leisure and MICE, they want planning. They want superior planning. They want correct connectivity. So we’re engaged on all these ranges, connectivity smart, advertising smart, campaigning. We’re engaged on all of these segments to improvise the expertise {that a} buyer could have.”
She believes Israel isn’t just a visit, however a reminiscence. “We all know it’s a one time vacation spot. And it’s as soon as in a lifetime. It’ll stick with you without end.”
For Indian corporates weighing international locations for conferences and incentives, she makes a compelling case for Tel Aviv. “Tel Aviv is a really distinctive vacation spot. It’s a continuous metropolis. You possibly can have your convention on one aspect and simply reverse to the street, there’s a seashore. And it’s a protracted stretch of seashore. You possibly can loosen up.” For corporations looking for a stability between enterprise and downtime, she says, “That is the right mix that the nation and the geographical area helps you for.”
Connectivity, she provides, is easy. “The direct flight proper now from Delhi to Tel Aviv is 5.5 hours. Additionally when you may have connecting flights from Mumbai or another metropolis through Dubai and different carriers, it’s 2.5 to three hours after which you may have a layover after which one other flight. So it’s very straightforward to journey to the vacation spot.”
To have interaction the brand new age Indian traveller looking for immersive experiences, IMOT is leaning into storytelling. “We’re partnering with plenty of influencers. They love the place a lot that they’ve a lot to share. It’s what the vacation spot does to you. When you go, you’ll by no means have a narrative that you’ll not share.”
Meals is one other sturdy draw. “Tel Aviv known as the vegan capital of the world,” she says, highlighting the upcoming Eat Competition the place celebrated eating places arrange particular counters for curated tastings. Lately, a famend Israeli chef travelled to Bengaluru for a culinary showcase which acquired an amazing response, with plans to duplicate comparable experiences in different Indian cities.
Geographically compact and straightforward to navigate, Israel permits travellers to see a lot in a short while. Well-liked stops for Indians embrace Eilat, the Useless Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth. “Israel is a really tiny vacation spot. North to South is like seven hours drive. And you may keep in a single metropolis after which journey to the remainder of the cities very simply.”
The numbers are encouraging. “In 2025, even with all of the disaster, we nonetheless have 13,800 vacationers who’ve visited Israel. As we communicate, in Jan. 2026 itself we had 2,500 guests. So the 12 months seems very constructive.” The benchmark stays pre pandemic figures. “In 2019, it was 65,000 throughout. We hope that, if issues stay the identical means, we’d attain the 2019 numbers very quickly.”
Globally, the US leads arrivals, adopted by the UK and France. “India nonetheless comes beneath the highest 10 and we’re the quantity One in Asia. In order that’s why the goal market.”
As for what comes subsequent, the roadmap is packed. “We’re planning on doing a marketing campaign. We’re planning campaigns, seminars, and roadshows. We do e-learning packages. Then we do webinars particular to a topic which could be a visa, which could be planning the itinerary, tips on how to design an itinerary. Then FAMs, influencer associated issues. Then PR occasions and advertising occasions. We participated in one of many largest exhibitions which is OTM. Ever since then, now we have by no means stopped. As a result of the Indian market is greater than this.”
For Bangera, the message is easy and assured. The curiosity is there, the curiosity is rising, and he or she believes it’s only a matter of time earlier than Israel’s story with India enters its subsequent chapter.
