The Philippines and Israel plan to boost two-way tourism soon with the new direct flights between the two countries.
Significantly, just before the pandemic, traffic between Manila and Tel-Aviv had reached "historic" numbers.
In 2019 alone, more than 33,000 Filipinos arrived in Israel while close to 23,000 Israelis visited the Philippines.
Philippine passport holders are visa free in Israel up to 90 days.
"We hope to have the same numbers - at least 33,000 Filipino tourists, soon. The new direct flights will give a massive boost for tourism between our two countries," Israel Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov remarked in his recent meeting with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in the Israel Pavilion at the World Travel Market (WTM) held in London.
The ministers discussed the potential of two-way tourism and how direct flights will be a "game changer" for both countries.
The Israeli Minister also invited DOT to join the 2022 International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM), an annual professional tourism fair that brings together travel and trade industry partners to introduce new attractions and tourist destinations.