As the region moves into a post-war era, Israel is taking significant strategic steps to revitalize its tourism industry and restore its status as a top global destination. This week, a closed-door diplomatic event signaled the official kick-off for the IMTM 2026 (International Mediterranean Tourism Market), the largest tourism exhibition in the Middle East.

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary, IMTM 2026 is scheduled to take place at EXPO Tel Aviv on February 3-4, 2026.

The exclusive diplomatic gathering, held at the David InterContinental Tel Aviv, served as a bridge-building event designed to deepen cooperation between Israel and the international community. It marked a pivotal moment in the efforts to bring incoming tourism back to pre-war levels.

A Show of International Support

The event was attended by Tourism Minister Haim Katz, alongside the founders and organizers of IMTM—Eyal Shmueli, Publisher of I.T.N., and Lior Gelfand, Chairman of the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association.

Demonstrating strong international interest, the room was filled with ambassadors and representatives from across the globe, including delegates from:

Europe: UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Malta, Moldova, Slovakia, Serbia, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and the EU.

Asia & Eurasia: Japan, India, South Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan.

Americas & Africa: Costa Rica, Chile, Guatemala, Tanzania, Nigeria.

The Vision for 2026

During the event, industry leaders presented the economic trends currently shaping global travel and unveiled the strategic vision for 2026. The coming year is being championed as a year of rehabilitation and momentum—marking the “grand re-opening” of Israel to international tourists and the forging of new strategic alliances.

IMTM 2026 is expected to be a record-breaking event. Many nations have already confirmed their participation, planning to showcase their destinations in impressive international pavilions. The exhibition will feature:

B2B Meetings: Connecting local operators with global buyers.

Professional Seminars: Covering the latest in travel tech and trends.

Networking: Hundreds of decision-makers from around the world are expected to attend.

“Building Trust”

Eyal Shmueli, Publisher of I.T.N and co-founder of IMTM, emphasized the resilience of the industry: “We are continuing the journey of building trust and rehabilitating the economic and professional ties in the tourism world. This diplomatic event is a significant milestone in our preparations for IMTM 2026, and we anticipate seeing a peak in participation from countries and decision-makers worldwide this year”.

For more information and registration, visit the official exhibition website: https://www.imtm.co.il/