The tourism paradox in Israel: 78% fewer visitors, but card payments almost as before the war

In the first half of 2026, about 430,000 tourists entered Israel—78% fewer than in 2023. However, spending on foreign bank cards reached 9.7 billion shekels—only 7.8% less than before the war. Data from Shva and the Tourism Ministry revealed a paradox: the number of visitors dropped sharply, while payments barely changed.

Data from Shva, the company managing the national payment system, and the Tourism Ministry, published on Tuesday, September 29, revealed a paradox: the number of tourists in Israel dropped sharply, while spending on foreign bank cards barely changed. In the first half of 2026, about 430,000 tourists entered the country—78% fewer than in the same period of 2023 (1.97 million). However, the volume of payments on foreign cards reached 9.7 billion shekels—only 7.8% less than 10.5 billion in 2023. Spending in classic tourism sectors (hotels, restaurants, duty-free shops, car rentals, travel agencies) fell by more than 40%—to 2.62 billion shekels from about 4.3 billion. One reason cited for the discrepancy is online shopping: the volume of such purchases on foreign cards grew by about 1%, with some online payments attributed to Jewish organizations buying equipment for affected communities in Israel. Another possible reason is everyday spending by people in Israel who are not tourists: diplomats, journalists, humanitarian workers, and new immigrants still using foreign cards. Spending in delicatessens, butcher shops, and bakeries rose by 52.4%. Additionally, inflation over this period approached 10%, meaning that similar payment amounts do not equal the same volume of purchases.