
The Jewish Link Pitch Meeting
Can Tourism Change How the World Sees Israel?
What if one of the most powerful ways to change the conversation about Israel is simply to get people on a plane? On this episode, Moshe Kinderlehrer speaks with Chad Martin, Northeast regional director for Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, about the power of firsthand experience, the dramatic changes in Israel tourism since COVID-19 and Oct. 7 and why Martin sees tourism as a form of “popular diplomacy.” Martin also discusses the return of flights to Israel, the ripple effect of travelers sharing their experiences and how bringing community leaders to Israel can turn a single trip into an ongoing partnership. CHAPTERS 00:00 -- Meet Chad Martin 05:34 -- The Power of Tourism as Diplomacy 09:35 -- The Christian Tourism Market 13:38 -- The Challenge of Airline Capacity 16:09 -- Selling Israel Beyond the Jewish World 30:22 -- Tourism’s Impact on Israel’s Economy 37:53 -- What Summer 2026 Tourism Looks Like 44:36 -- Israel as a Startup Nation Destination 47:26 -- The “I Am Israel” Campaign Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jewishlinknews

