The holidays may be over, but Israelis are already planning their next getaways, and this winter, their travel preferences are shifting eastward. While winter vacations have traditionally centered on European capitals and ski resorts, Asia is emerging as a leading destination. According to data from digital travel agency SkyGini, 21% of bookings for the upcoming winter season are to Asia, meaning one in five travelers is heading east.
Japan has recorded the most significant increase, with bookings doubling compared with the same period last year. Bookings to Hanoi, Vietnam, have risen sixfold, while those to Phuket, Thailand, have increased fivefold.
The trend comes as foreign airlines, including Etihad, resume operations and new direct routes to Asia are introduced. Arkia, for example, is set to launch a direct route to Tokyo on October 25, followed by a route to Manila, the Philippines, in January.
Why won't prices fall?
Despite the expansion of flight capacity, SkyGini estimates that airfares to Asia are unlikely to decline in the near term. One key factor is the attempted attack on a flydubai flight in late September. It remains unclear when the airline will resume its routes to the East and if Israeli travelers will be willing to fly with the carrier. As a result, fares are expected to remain at roughly last year's levels.
"The aviation industry is gradually recovering from the challenges of recent years, as reflected in the return of foreign airlines, the launch of new direct routes, and increased competition for Israeli travelers," says Gilad Arditi, co-CEO of SkyGini. "The attempted attack on a flydubai aircraft could keep fares to Asia at similar levels, despite the expansion in capacity."
Skiing moves East, and prices fall
Demand for ski vacations remains steady, accounting for around 9% of winter bookings. But here, too, Israelis are broadening their horizons. An increasing number of travelers are choosing Georgia's Gudauri ski resort., which can be reached via Tbilisi. The growing popularity of the destination, combined with the large number of airlines operating flights to Georgia, has helped drive down average airfares to Tbilisi by around 22% compared with last year.
Azerbaijan is also gaining traction as a ski destination, with bookings to Baku rising 3.3-fold compared with the winter of 2025. Overall, the shift toward more affordable destinations such as Tbilisi and Baku has contributed to a 13% decline in airfares for ski vacations.
Hanukkah: More trips, fewer nights
Hanukkah is also becoming an increasingly popular time for family vacations. Bookings for the upcoming holiday have climbed 2.7-fold compared with 2025, but travelers are opting for shorter stays. Nearly half of all trips (47%) last four nights or fewer, up from 35% during the previous Hanukkah. Popular destinations include nearby European capitals such as Prague, Bucharest, and Budapest.
The shift is also evident in the European market. According to the data, Israeli airlines' share of flights to Europe has dropped from 61% to 53%, partly reflecting the return of Wizz Air and other foreign carriers.