It’s been a while since we’ve shared an update on Israel, primarily because there hasn’t been much concrete progress to report—until now. Over the past year, there have been countless rumors, insider reports, and declarations of imminent ceasefire agreements, yet none materialized. However, recent developments signal movement in the right direction.
The Incoming Presidency
On November 5th, Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States. You might wonder why this is relevant here. Well, it’s significant: on October 30, 2024, President-Elect Trump stated he urged Israel’s Prime Minister to resolve the ongoing conflict before his inauguration in January 2025. Following his election, he reiterated this goal, declaring his expectation to see the war conclude before his return to the White House—a bold assertion.
By November 28th, weeks after the U.S. election, Israel announced a 60-day ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. While the terms of this ceasefire are less stringent than Israel’s initial objectives, it marks a step toward de-escalation. This truce aims to prevent Hezbollah from advancing south while Israeli troops also withdraw southward.
Will the truce hold? Only time will tell. While there’s still a long road ahead, we believe this is a positive step. In southern Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have made significant progress in stabilizing the region, signaling the winding down of operations there.
Outlook on Tourism
Encouragingly, there’s renewed interest among pilgrims and travelers eager to visit the Holy Land. If the ceasefire remains intact—or evolves into a longer-term agreement—we anticipate a gradual return of tourism. We project trips resuming by early spring 2025, with travel flourishing by summer and stabilizing into the fall and winter months.
For those hesitant about current uncertainties, we’re offering flexibility:
- Paid Trip Funds: Roll over your trip funds for any Israel trips through March 2025 to a future trip or a different destination entirely.
- Scheduled Trips: We have several trips planned for early 2025, and we remain optimistic about providing travelers with unforgettable experiences.
If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to contact our office or reach out directly to your Operations Representative.
Additionally, we’ve been hosting weekly livestreams covering alternative destinations, global news, and everything in between. Tuesday, we discussed Israel and our prospects for tourism moving forward—you can watch the replay below:
Thank you for your patience and trust as we navigate these evolving circumstances.