Russian Tourist Numbers to Israel Drop by a Third, Officials Point to March Airspace Closure

The flow of Russian tourists to Israel saw a significant decline in the first quarter of 2026, with numbers falling by about one-third compared to the same period last year. According to Ksenia Vorontsova, head of the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s Moscow office, the drop is largely due to the closure of Israeli airspace for the entire month of March amid rising tensions with Iran.

During the first three months of 2026, Israel welcomed 10,300 Russian visitors. While that marks a sharp decrease from the previous year, Vorontsova noted that arrivals in January and February actually exceeded figures from the same months in both 2024 and 2025. She described the current situation as “a period of careful recovery with an optimistic outlook.”

“This is the perfect time to enjoy spring in Israel,” Vorontsova said. “Jerusalem is still fresh and serene, while Eilat on the Red Sea and the therapeutic resorts of the Dead Sea are already bathed in warm sun. Israel is ready to surprise — from culinary discoveries in the markets to deep spiritual renewal.”

The ministry remains hopeful that as regional conditions stabilize, the flow of Russian tourists will rebound, particularly as travelers look for off-season experiences in the Holy Land.