With the end of the war in Gaza and the return of international flights to Israel, the Ministry of Tourism is preparing to welcome an estimated 130,000 visitors this December, including about 40,000 Christian pilgrims expected to celebrate Christmas at holy sites across the country.
As part of its holiday preparations, the ministry has invested more than 600,000 shekels ($160,000) in upgrades to infrastructure and festive decorations in Nazareth, a key destination for Christian tourism. The enhancements include lighting displays, fireworks and other seasonal installations. An additional 250,000 shekels ($67,000) was allocated for marketing Christmas events aimed at both international and domestic tourists.
Christmas in Nazareth
Nazareth’s annual Christmas processions are among the most prominent events for religious tourism in Israel. The ministry, through a government-backed development company, is also organizing a Christmas market in the Courtyard of the Knights’ Halls in the Old City of Acre.
The Ministry of Tourism maintains ongoing ties with Christian leaders in Israel. Ahead of the holiday, Tourism Ministry Director-General Michael Izhakov and Deputy Director-General for Tourism Experience Rakefet Levy led a delegation to meet senior clergy from various denominations, offering holiday greetings and presenting gifts.