Israelis Drive Czech Republic to Become Europe's Fastest-Growing Tourism Destination

The Czech Republic has emerged as the fastest-growing tourism destination in Europe, largely due to a significant increase in Israeli visitors. According to recent data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence and the UN World Tourism Organization, the country saw an 18 percent year-on-year rise in bookings, surpassing popular destinations like Iceland and Denmark. Hotel occupancy in Prague has exceeded 60 percent, reflecting this surge.

Prague, the capital, welcomed 8.3 million tourists last year, generating approximately 933 million Czech crowns in tourism taxes. Israeli tourists have played a pivotal role in this growth, with their numbers more than doubling from 92,000 in 2023 to 206,000 in 2025. Despite a 30 percent drop in Israeli visitors during the first quarter of 2026 due to heightened Middle East tensions, Israel remains a key international source market for Prague's tourism.

The appeal for Israeli tourists includes Prague's reputation as a safe destination and its rich Jewish history, particularly the Jewish Quarter. This tourism boom coincides with deepening bilateral ties between Prague and Jerusalem, encompassing political support, economic cooperation, and security coordination.

In July 2026, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macek met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Israel to inaugurate the Israel-Czech Business Forum, which gathered over 200 companies to promote collaboration in industries such as healthcare, technology, security, and infrastructure. Both ministers signed a joint declaration to make the forum an annual event. Macek reaffirmed the Czech Republic's consistent support for Israel within the European Union and on the international stage, including opposition to additional EU trade sanctions against Israel.

Security cooperation is also advancing, with the Czech Republic negotiating with Israeli defense firms to acquire advanced air defense systems like "Spyder" and "Arrow." These developments highlight the growing strategic partnership between the two nations beyond tourism and commerce.