After the government approved a 3.8 billion shekel plan, municipal leaders in northern Israel are using the MUNI EXPO 2026 local government conference to present their recovery strategy for tourism, infrastructure and the regional economy. They say tourism will sit at the center of the postwar economic plan, and that the new funding is meant to support seven core northern cities and surrounding peripheral areas through upgrades in infrastructure, education, transport, economic development and tourism.
Local officials see the move as a turning point for an industry hit first by the coronavirus years and then by the prolonged war. In Tiberias, planned projects include redeveloping the old city, improving the visitor experience, renovating promenades, encouraging new hotels, city branding and greater exposure for heritage sites. The municipality is also pushing to renew the Palm Promenade and the southern promenade, build the new Alon Promenade and a new breakwater, restore the audiovisual installation "The Tiberium," and reopen renovated beaches.
Mayor Yossi Naveh said months of work had culminated in what he called a historic government decision that will change Tiberias. He said the investment, together with the city's own initiatives, would help return Tiberias to its "natural place" as one of Israel's leading tourist cities, strengthen the local economy and revive foreign tourism, especially pilgrimage tourism, which has been hurt in recent years. "Tiberias is entering a new stage of renewal and growth," he said.
In Safed, Mayor Yossi Kakoon said the Galilee and Safed in particular had paid a very heavy price in recent years, with tourism, a key economic engine, suffering badly for thousands of families and business owners. He said the government decision was a real turning point that would allow investment in infrastructure, upgrading tourism sites, encouraging entrepreneurs and reestablishing Safed as the tourism capital of the Galilee. In Metula, the local council launched free guided tours under the title "Between War and Hope," and Council Head David Azulai said the aim was to open the gates and tell the story of the settlement's 130 years of pioneering, resilience and hope. The conference will be held in Tel Aviv on June 23 to 24, with about 12,000 participants and an innovation exhibition featuring more than 150 companies.
