[President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog (front, right) and Israel Ministry of Tourism Director General Michael Izhakov (front, left) with Directors and PR representatives across the globe at the President’s residence.]
For the first time since 2019, Directors of the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) offices and their 17 teams from around the world, together with representatives of the Ministry’s international public relations agencies, convened in Israel for a week-long series of professional conferences, culminating in a formal gathering at the President’s House.
About 50 participants took part in meetings with tourism organizers, professional lectures, and site engagements that provided firsthand exposure to the current realities of life and tourism in Israel.
Discussions focused on branding Israel and addressing the challenges of tourism in the international arena, in accordance with the policy of Tourism Minister Haim Katz.
Acknowledging the envoys, IMOT Director General Michael Yitzhakov said, “The direct encounter with the field, with partners in the industry, and with the Israeli reality as it is, is a significant tool for strengthening trust, understanding the true story of Israel, and leading the process of renewing tourism to Israel on the global stage.”
The Philippines, recognized as a key and growing source market for Israel tourism, was represented by Israel Tourism Philippines Marketing Manager Anna Oraiza Aban, who was the only Filipino delegate at the global conference.
Aban emphasized the strong potential of the Philippine market, noting the country’s deep cultural and faith-based connection to Israel, as well as the visa-free entry policy for Filipino travelers.
Describing the global meeting as an affirmation of the importance of the Philippine market for Israel tourism, Aban said, “Being on the ground allowed us to engage directly with our partners and better understand the current situation. We look forward to welcoming more Filipinos to the Holy Land and continuing to strengthen people-to-people connections through travel.”
Israel continues to be seen as a preferred destination for Filipino travelers, particularly for pilgrimage, heritage, and cultural tourism. With renewed global engagement by the IMOT and close collaboration with international partners, the country is reinforcing its readiness to welcome more visitors from the Philippines in the period ahead.
