Israel continues to see record tourism growth as the country prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary as an independent state this month.
This year, Israel has already seen a record-breaking number of visitors. The destination saw a 28 percent increase in incoming tourism this past February compared to the same period last year, and a 57 percent increase since February of 2016-and the trend is expected to continue.
Israel expects to welcome 4 million visitors in 2018, and it is growing to meet the demand.
New hotels are cropping up around the country and a roster of world-class events will take place during this milestone year.
Tel Aviv will welcome new hotels, including the Dave-West, a new brand of low-cost urban hotels from Brown Hotels that opened in February.
In June, the Drisco will welcome visitors for the first time after a $35 million investment and 10 years of construction.
A new hotel from Marriott's Autograph Collection opened in Herzliya. The new Publica Isrotel is in the city's high-tech district.
The new property offers guests a rooftop pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a lobby bar and a collaborative workspace that fits with its "People Meeting People" concept.
Kedma Hotel will open this spring in the Negev Desert. It is part of the TravelHotels chain and will offer 95 rooms, public areas, a lounge, open swimming pool and covered bathhouse, a restaurant and bar and two event halls.
At the airport, Ben Gurion's new passenger wing, E Wing in Terminal 3, just opened for travelers.
The new addition increases capacity at Terminal 3 by 1,800 passengers per hour and includes waiting areas, eight gates for planes, four gates for buses, retail outlets, dining, business lobbies, technical, logistical and cargo facilities, areas for maintenance services for the airlines and more.
There are also new routes into the country.
United Airlines is beginning service from San Francisco to Tel Aviv, and El Al is offering three weekly flights from San Francisco to Tel Aviv beginning in November on Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes.
Upcoming Events
Tel Aviv will host the only public gay Pride Parade in the Middle East during the first weekend in June.
With the main event taking place June 8, Tel Aviv Pride is the second largest Pride Parade in the world, drawing in more than 100,000 Israelis and visitors. The parade travels through the city ending with a large celebration at the Tel Aviv Beach, particularly, Hilton and Gordon Beach.
Jerusalem has a number of exciting events coming up. The Giro d'Italia, one of the biggest sporting events in the world, will take place in the city May 4-6, 2018. It will be the first time that the event has taken place outside of Europe.
More than 175 cyclists will begin the event, departing from Jerusalem City. The Giro will finish three weeks later in Italy, on May 22, 2018.
The Tower of David Light Show began this month at the Tower of David Museum. The new light show tells the story of David in a new cinematic production that is projected onto the walls and archaeological excavations of the ancient citadel.
There will also be a roster of events to honor the 70th anniversary of Israel's statehood, including "70 Hours of Israeli Celebrations" as announced by the Culture Ministry.
These will be 70 hours of celebrations in Israeli society that connect us all," culture and sport minister Miri Regev told the Jerusalem Post. "The events are tailored for both young and veteran audiences, for entire families, and also for Jews around the world. We are going to host the most-talked-about and moving events in Israeli society, full of energy, positivity, and joy. It will be exciting, distinguished and touching, just as this country that we love so dearly deserves."
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