Crete: The darling Israelis can’t resist as Greek island transforms into luxury destination

An estimated 250,000 Israelis visited Crete by late October 2026, as the Greek island shifts from an affordable summer destination to a luxury tourism hub. The article reports growth in five-star hotels, new international resorts like JW Marriott Crete, and increased direct flights from Tel Aviv.

An estimated 250,000 Israelis visited Crete by late October 2026, as Greece's largest island transforms from an affordable summer getaway into a growing luxury tourism destination. The article reports that approximately 180,000 Israelis visited in 2025, with 2026 heading toward a new record. Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, Tourism Authorized Councilor for the Region of Crete, attributes the growth to more direct flights, new luxury resorts, international hotel brands, and competitive prices. He notes that high domestic vacation costs in Israel have also contributed. The piece highlights the expansion of five-star hotels in the Chania region from 33 before the pandemic to 51 in 2024, and the opening of the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa in Marathi. The resort's general manager shares that 15% of guests are Israelis. The article also covers Rethymno's revival as a destination. The framing relies on promotional language and first-person travelogue without critical analysis of tourism's impacts.