Leisure and sporting activities are on the rise everywhere. Israel has seen an increase in the popularity of sports and physical activities, leading to a new sports tourism industry that is gaining international attention. Sports tourism is unique in that it attracts everyone of any age. Amateurs, fans, professional athletes, trainers and coaches come together to enjoy a range of activities from training camps to local games to international championship competitions.

Athletes and fans are travelling to Israel to participate in, or attend the numerous local and international sporting events. Events like soccer, baseball, judo, tennis and skiing are only a sampling of the types of athletic activities drawing crowds of all ages.

The common thread in sports tourism is the enjoyment of high quality, healthy sports activities in an atmosphere of true sportsmanship, as well as utilizing leisure time to travel outside of the sports stadiums and gymnasium to the historic sites, nature reserves and everything else that Israel has to offer.

Some of the most notable and popular sport sites include diving in Eilat, golfing in Caesarea and Gaash, skiing on the Hermon slopes, and the events at the stadiums. For instance, Tel Aviv’s Nokia Sports Stadium is known for their basketball games and the Ramat Gan Stadium for its international soccer matches. If tennis is your game, try the courts of Ramat HaSharon. And, of course, Israel’s beach activities like wind surfing and sailing competitions, are not to be missed!

Whether it’s hiking, marathon races or the huge sporting event, Maccabiah, where Jewish athletes from all over the world come to compete every four years, Israel’s sport tourism industry is already a hit internationally.

Israel Tour Connection (ITC) is once again the Official US Tour Agent for the 2013 Jerusalem Marathon. Details coming soon!

Please contact Israel Tour Connection if you have any questions about Israel, or travel to Israel.