Philippine Ambassador to Israel Sets 2026 Targets: Direct Tel Aviv–Manila Flights and 35,000 Israeli Tourist Arrivals
The Philippine Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Aileen S. Mendiola, has placed the promotion of direct flights between Tel Aviv and Manila
and the increase of Israeli tourist arrivals to the Philippines at the top of her 2026 agenda.
The Ambassador aims to raise the number of Israeli visitors from approximately 25,000 in 2025 to 35,000 annually.
The Philippine Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Mrs. Aileen S. Mendiola, has placed the promotion of direct flights between Tel Aviv and Manila and the increase of Israeli tourist arrivals to the Philippines at the top of her 2026 agenda. The Ambassador aims to raise the number of Israeli visitors from approximately 25,000 in 2025 to 35,000 annually.
Ambassador Mendiola said this target is achievable by further raising awareness of the Philippines in the Israeli market as a unique and diverse destination. She underscored that the Philippines offers a broad range of experiences and niche tourism products attractive to Israeli travelers, including diving, adventure activities, surfing, trekking, romantic travel, wellness tourism, and leisure.
Ambassador Mendiola also emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with Israeli travel wholesalers and agencies, while working closely with media outlets and airlines, as part of a comprehensive strategy to stimulate demand and increase two-way travel between the Philippines and Israel.
On direct flights, the Ambassador noted encouraging indicators. In 2025, approximately 25,000 Israeli tourists visited the Philippines, while about 50,000 Filipino nationals traveled to Israel—despite the absence of direct flights, high airfares, and flight disruptions. According to Ambassador Mendiola, these figures clearly justify the viability of two to three weekly direct flights between Tel Aviv and Manila. “We are actively engaging partner airlines, as well as tourism and transport authorities on both sides, with the goal of achieving concrete outcomes by the third quarter of 2026,” she said.
The Philippines is widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful and distinctive destinations. Situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the archipelago comprises 7,641 islands, many uninhabited, with dense jungles, 21 active volcanoes, and one of the longest coastlines in the world. It offers crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs and marine life, waterfalls and rainforests, white-sand beaches, world-class surfing, dramatic rice terraces, and a rich cultural heritage, including indigenous communities that have preserved ancient traditions for thousands of years.
Photos credit: Tim Rock, Uri Magnus and the Embassy of the Philippines in Israel
