Taglit-Birthright Israel is kicking off its 2025 winter season with a significant and heartwarming influx of visitors, demonstrating a powerful recovery in group tourism to the country. Approximately 10,000 young Jewish adults from over 40 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Germany, England, and France, are scheduled to arrive. This major wave of arrivals signals a substantial revival in demand, even amidst the current security and complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Israel’s global image.

Participants will engage in a deeply immersive experience that goes beyond standard sightseeing. The winter tours are structured to include in-depth community encounters, hands-on educational activities, and essential volunteer work, ensuring they connect authentically with the local population. Looking ahead, Taglit-Birthright anticipates an even larger scope, with over 30,000 participants expected to arrive in Israel throughout 2026 across its various programs and tours.

Crucially, the organization continues to be an indispensable economic engine for Israeli tourism, particularly in the peripheral areas of the country. A full 50% of the tour time for these participants will be spent in the periphery—specifically the North and the South. This strategic focus aims to directly boost local businesses, reinforce tourism sites, and support communities that are working to recover. In fact, throughout 2025, Taglit-Birthright was responsible for an astonishing 95% of all young group tourism to Israel, underscoring its pivotal role in keeping this sector alive.

CEO Gidi Mark emphasizes the program’s enduring strategic importance, especially in shaping global perspectives. “Today, Taglit is often the only connection Israel has to students on North American campuses,” he notes. “Birthright alumni are frequently the only ones equipped to represent Israel in the campus arena—the current major battleground for public opinion. Without Taglit, there would simply be no one arriving in Israel who could then return to their campuses with personal familiarity and the ability to speak on Israel’s behalf. The importance of Taglit is greater than ever, and we remain committed to bringing tens of thousands of young adults to Israel every year.” Since its inception, Taglit-Birthright has grown into what is widely regarded as the most influential Zionist-strategic organization of the 21st century, boasting a network of over 900,000 alumni worldwide who carry their personal Israel experience into their global communities.