Israel Revamps 58 Tourism Sites as Jerusalem, Haifa and the Dead Sea Get Major Upgrades

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 17, 2026 13:49 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

There is a major overhaul taking place in Israel with respect to its tourism infrastructure, as the country has approved 58 tourism infrastructure projects with an investment of approximately NIS 174 million. The initiative is aimed at transforming the country, from Eilat and the Red Sea to Mount Hermon, where initiatives related to heritage centres, promenades, cycle paths, accessibility facilities, parks, and audiovisual attractions have been developed. Some of the prominent projects include refurbishment of Herod’s Palace and Kishle site in Jerusalem, the Port of Lights in Haifa, and a geological observation site at the Dead Sea.

Key Stats: Israel’s Tourism Upgrade

• 58: Tourism infrastructure projects approved nationwide.
• NIS 174 million: Ministry of Tourism funding allocated to the projects.
• NIS 362 million: Total state budget connected to the wider programme.
• Eilat to Mount Hermon: Geographic span of the approved projects.
• NIS 58 million: Allocated towards infrastructure upgrades in northern Israel.
• Several project types: Heritage centres, promenades, bicycle paths, parks, audiovisual shows and accessibility improvements.

Jerusalem Puts Heritage Back in the Spotlight

Jerusalem is receiving some of the most significant heritage-focused investment in the programme.

The Kishle compound, near the Old City and Jaffa Gate, is among the sites being developed and upgraded. The location contains archaeological remains spanning multiple periods, including structures associated with Herod the Great’s palace. Archaeological research at the compound has uncovered remains connected with Jerusalem’s First and Second Temple periods, as well as later Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern layers.

The project is therefore not simply about renovating an old building. It is about making a complex archaeological story easier for visitors to experience.

The nearby Herod’s Palace development adds another layer to Jerusalem’s heritage offering, giving visitors more opportunities to explore the city’s Second Temple-period history.

For heritage travellers, these projects can expand the Old City itinerary beyond the best-known religious landmarks.

Jerusalem’s Historic Core Gets More Visitor Infrastructure

The investment comes as Jerusalem continues expanding visitor facilities around its major heritage sites.

A separate government decision in May 2026 approved a new 2027-2031 five-year programme for the Western Wall Plaza and Western Wall Tunnels, with NIS 113.5 million earmarked for infrastructure, archaeological exposure, transportation improvements, visitor safety and educational facilities.

The programme includes new visitor information facilities, crowd-management systems, shuttle services and continued archaeological excavation and conservation.

For tourism, the developments are significant because Jerusalem receives visitors for religious, historical and cultural reasons throughout the year.

Haifa Turns the Harbour Into an Evening Attraction

Now for the project bringing a little after-dark drama into the itinerary.

The Port of Lights in Haifa is planned as a large audiovisual attraction combining lighting, music and visual content along the harbour promenade.

The concept is designed to illuminate the city’s waterfront and skyline during evening hours, creating another reason for visitors to remain in Haifa after daytime sightseeing.

This matters for tourism because evening attractions can encourage visitors to spend more time in a destination, particularly when paired with restaurants, waterfront walks and cultural venues.

Haifa can consequently add a more contemporary entertainment layer to its existing attractions.

Dead Sea Adds a New Geological Viewpoint

The Dead Sea is also receiving a new tourism infrastructure project, with a geological observation point planned around the area’s distinctive landscape.

The Dead Sea is one of Israel’s most recognisable natural attractions, known for its extremely saline waters, mineral-rich environment and dramatic desert surroundings.

A dedicated geological observation facility can help visitors understand the changing landscape rather than simply viewing it as a scenic backdrop.

The project also fits into the wider movement towards nature interpretation and educational tourism, where geological and environmental information becomes part of the visitor experience.

Northern Israel Receives a Major Share

The programme is not limited to the country’s major cities.

Around NIS 58 million of the funding is directed towards upgrading tourism infrastructure in northern Israel. Projects span the Galilee and areas towards Mount Hermon, including visitor facilities, trails and attractions.

Among the approved projects is a bicycle trail in the Mount Hermon foothills, providing another opportunity to strengthen outdoor tourism.

Other northern investments include a visitors’ centre at the Regba Aqueduct in the Western Galilee and illuminated walking routes in the Valley of Springs area.

The result is a broader northern tourism portfolio combining heritage, nature, cycling and outdoor recreation.

Eilat and the Red Sea Stay in the Picture

At the opposite end of the country, Eilat is included within the nationwide infrastructure programme.

Its Red Sea location already supports beach holidays, diving, marine activities and resort tourism.

Infrastructure improvements can strengthen the visitor experience while helping Eilat function as a year-round leisure destination.

The geographic spread from Eilat to Mount Hermon is important because it distributes tourism investment across very different landscapes rather than concentrating it exclusively around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Heritage, Nature and Entertainment Come Together

The 58-project programme covers a surprisingly wide tourism mix.

Visitors can encounter archaeological sites in Jerusalem, an illuminated harbour experience in Haifa, geological attractions around the Dead Sea, cycling routes in the north and nature-focused facilities in the Arava.

Other approved projects include the old Jaffa railway station, a Bedouin Heritage Garden in Rahat, the Living Bible Village in Karnei Shomron and birdwatching and cycling facilities at Kibbutz Neot Smadar in the Arava Desert.

This creates opportunities for multi-stop itineraries that combine culture, nature and leisure.

Travel Guide: Exploring Israel’s Upgraded Tourism Sites

Ben Gurion Airport remains the country’s principal international gateway.

Visitors can combine Jerusalem’s heritage attractions with Tel Aviv and Jaffa, travel north towards Haifa and the Galilee, or head south towards the Dead Sea and Eilat.

The new Israeli shekel (ILS) is the local currency.

Travellers should check current transport arrangements, attraction opening schedules and official travel guidance before departure because operating conditions can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many tourism projects has Israel approved?
The Ministry of Tourism approved 58 tourism infrastructure projects with approximately NIS 174 million in ministry funding.

2. Which major Jerusalem sites are being upgraded?
The programme includes development and upgrading of the Kishle site and Herod’s Palace.

3. What is the Port of Lights in Haifa?
It is a planned audiovisual attraction combining lighting, music and visual content along Haifa’s harbour promenade.

Timeline and Events

• 17 February 2026: Israel’s Ministry of Tourism announced funding for 58 projects worth approximately NIS 174 million.
• 19 February 2026: Details of the approved project portfolio, including Jerusalem, Haifa and Dead Sea developments, were published.
• 17 May 2026: Israel approved a new 2027-2031 five-year infrastructure programme for the Western Wall Plaza and tunnels.
• 2026 onwards: Tourism infrastructure projects are progressing across the country from Eilat to Mount Hermon.

Conclusion

The tourism map of Israel is being revamped with an infrastructure programme consisting of 58 projects covering the fields of heritage, nature, entertainment and accessibility. Jerusalem has decided to revamp its archaeology by developing sites such as the palace of Herod and Kishle, while Haifa is making preparations to get the Port of Lights ready for its waterside tourists. The Dead Sea will see geological interpretation, while investments in outdoor infrastructure are being made in northern Israel.