The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has officially marked a strategic target of welcoming 300,000 tourists from France, focusing heavily on the robust pilgrimage sector. This ambitious goal for the 2026-2027 period was the centerpiece of a high-level meeting held today between Tourism Minister Haim Katz and a delegation from ANDDP, a pivotal organization that coordinates pilgrimage groups from France. The Minister hosted the organization’s incoming President, Father Jacky-Marie Lhermitte, alongside his entourage and the outgoing President, Father Stéphane Gravereau, to discuss the future of French tourism to the Holy Land.

ANDDP serves as a crucial umbrella body for pilgrimage groups across France, making it a decisive factor in facilitating large-scale spiritual tourism to Israel. During the discussions, both parties explored concrete ways to deepen their cooperation to ensure the Ministry’s target is met within the coming years. The dialogue highlighted the enduring bond between French pilgrims and the biblical landscapes of Israel, emphasizing the shared commitment to revitalizing this specific travel corridor.

Representatives from the French organization conveyed a clear message regarding the immense pent-up demand among French citizens. They emphasized a strong desire within their communities to return to visiting Israel in significant numbers. Furthermore, the outgoing President took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism for its continuous efforts in cultivating and maintaining holy sites. He specifically praised the development of infrastructure tailored for pilgrims and thanked the Ministry for maintaining an open-door policy that fosters productive collaboration.

Addressing the challenges and opportunities, Tourism Minister Haim Katz affirmed that France remains a central target market for Israel, citing data from recent years that demonstrates the market’s strength and stability. He acknowledged that while Israel remains a highly sought-after destination, the current primary hurdles are travel warnings and a lack of sufficient flight options, which subsequently impact travel costs. Minister Katz assured the delegation that his office, in conjunction with other government ministries, is actively working to soften these travel warnings and increase the supply of flights to facilitate a full recovery of incoming tourism.