A jump of tens of percent: the new goal that the Israelis conquered

About two months after the beginning of the new year, it seems that in the Israeli tourism industry the trend that started already in 2025 is continuing – Eastern Europe is establishing itself as the preferred choice of Israeli travelers and is gradually replacing the traditional Western European destinations that we were used to. The Diesenhaus Group reports that Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic have been leading the demand since the beginning of the year as holiday destinations, while the Netherlands, Spain and other destinations in Western Europe are experiencing a sharp drop in orders and interest from tourists from the country.

For example, in 2025 about 750,000 Israelis flew to Hungary, an increase of about 60% compared to the year before. About 547,000 passengers flew to Poland, a figure that represents a jump of about 50% compared to 2025, and about 520,000 passengers arrived in the Czech Republic, a number that shows a jump of about 31%. In contrast, only about 265,000 Israelis flew to the Netherlands last year – a decrease of about 4% compared to the previous year. Spain, London and Paris are also experiencing sharp declines of between 15% and 27% in expected demand for this year.

At Diesenhaus, they point out that the factors behind the trend are a combination of economic and experiential considerations. The cost of staying in Eastern Europe is significantly lower and this is reflected in all parameters. For example, a night at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest costs a couple about 165 euros per night, compared to about 390 euros in Barcelona and about 465 euros in London. Food prices are also cheaper, with lunch in Poland or the Czech Republic costing an average of only $12, about half the price in Western Europe.

In addition, the short flight times, between two and a half to three and a half hours, make these destinations particularly attractive for short vacations, family vacations and trips that combine city, nature and resort complexes. “The Israeli traveler today is less looking for a ‘V’ on a particular city and is more interested in a vacation that feels comfortable, relaxed and adapted to the family,” says Omer Khodorov Levy, Vice President of Marketing and Social Responsibility at the Diezenhaus Group. “Eastern Europe knows how to offer spaces, nature, attractions for children and vacation solutions that allow parents and children to enjoy together without compromise, all at attractive prices, convenient flights and a variety of accommodation and vacation options.”

According to Yehuda Zafarani, an international aviation expert and director of tourism at the Hot Consumer Club, one of the drivers for this trend is the low-cost model that operates successfully in Israel. We are talking about dozens of destinations in Europe that are becoming leaders thanks to the activity of companies such as Wiz, EasyJet and Ryanair, which I think will return to flying to Israel this year, along with other companies,” says Zafarni. “The competitive price of these companies is giving its signals.” In 2026, over 60 airlines are operating on routes to Israel, and this competition is expected to lower prices. “By the end of the year, if a dramatic event does not happen, the number may reach over 100 airlines here in Israel and it will be The big news of the year – more competition and lower prices.”

Looking to the future, Zafarani points out some destinations that may stand out above all others for Israeli tourists. “When we talk about Eastern Europe, we see an increase in destinations that were not even in the top 50 of the tourist countries, among them Lithuania with direct flights to Vilnius, Hungary with over a million overnight stays by Israelis in 2025, Poland and not only Warsaw but also cities like Krakow and Gdansk, and expansion to other places is expected this year. The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, has recently attracted more and more families, spa vacations And organized trips. I estimate that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, two Muslim countries that are very friendly to Israelis, are expected to grow stronger this year. The combination of high cost of living and a feeling of discomfort in some destinations in Eastern Europe leads to the choice of alternative countries.

Zafarni points out that there is still demand for destinations such as London, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona, ​​but these are not the numbers they were in the past. “Some of these cities are constantly in the media about anti-Semitism and demonstrations, and the Israeli audience is looking to go to places that are comfortable and safe to be in.”

“The increase in demand for Eastern Europe is supported by in-depth studies of the tourist sentiment of Israelis in which three clear preferences emerge,” notes Dr. Eran Keter, Head of the School of Tourism and Hotel Management at Kinneret Academy and an international expert on tourism. “First, a preference for destinations that offer high value and a competitive price against the background of the high cost of living in Israel and the cost of the tourist product in Western Europe. Second, a preference towards destinations that are seen as friendly to Israel and where visitors from Israel (mainly families) will feel comfortable walking around the street freely without pro-Palestinian activity. The third thing, among the families there is a preference for a hybrid activity that combines a city vacation together with trips in nature and joint activities that enable solidifying family time.

At the same time, Dr. Keter adds the growing preference of Israelis for other destinations that are not part of Western Europe such as Japan and Thailand. “Every tourist movement is affected by a combination of social, economic, political and other factors. Therefore, especially after the Corona period and the war, we understand that everything is dynamic and the trend is going to change if the circumstances change accordingly.”