Israel is developing into a highly dynamic market for Greek tourism, a fact confirmed by Tali Laufer, General Director of the Association of Travel Agencies & Consultants of Israel, in her statements to APE-MPE. It is characteristic, he emphasizes, that in the eight months of 2023 (January-August 2023) Greece was visited by 612,000 Israelis, i.e. 60% more than last year when there were 455,000. In fact, in the coming years it is estimated that there will be a further increase in the tourist flow, as Tali Laufer reports, due to the air connections between the two countries.

At this point, the close and long-standing cooperation of Israel’s national carrier, EL – AL, with Athens International Airport should be emphasized. In a recent event held to celebrate the 75 years of the air carrier from Israel, it was pointed out that our country belongs to the three most popular tourist destinations chosen by Israelis.

In response to a question about what attracts Israelis to Greece it was emphasized that the beaches, the resorts, the people, the food, the nature, the hiking, and that everything is in close proximity are a strong attraction for visiting Greece. In fact, the main places they visit are Athens, Heraklion, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Kos, Corfu, Chania, Preveza, Zakynthos, Karpathos and Santorini.

With an eye on strengthening tourism relations between the two peoples, Tali Laufer focused on the relations of travel agents saying that the organization of educational trips and B2B meetings is the most effective tool for strengthening relations between Greece and Israel.

Tali Laufer

Preveza is a magnet for travelers from Israel

In support of the above, it is recalled that in February Preveza participated in the Israel IMTM exhibition in Tel Aviv and held top meetings through the tourism marketing company CK Strategies, with the leaders of the Israeli market, Tour operators, Media and airlines, which showed strong interest in their flight program for the airport of Aktion.

In her reports, Tali Laufer, General Director of the Association of Travel Agencies & Consultants of Israel, said that Epirus is among the popular tourist destinations for Israeli tourists.

He also pointed out that there is strong tourist interest and from other Israeli airlines to start their flying program in 2024 at the airport of Preveza / Aktiou.

It is noted that Tali Laufer, with great joy, accepted the invitation of the Mayor of Preveza, Nikos Georgakos, and came to Greece for the first time, after the conference of the Association of Travel Agents of Israel that was held in 2016, in Athens.
In this context, B2B meetings were held with the Israeli tourist agents, who showed a strong interest in coming to Preveza and participating in the meetings.