Yael Altman and Tami Elshtain. Photo: PassportNews "This is the longest period of instability they have experienced since the establishment of the state, a post-Corona war, but we know what happened, and we want to look ahead." This is how Tami Elshtein and Yael Altman, founders of the Israel Travel Managers Forum (ITMF) business aviation conference, opened the annual event, which was held for the seventh time this morning (November 25, 2025). Passport Group is a media partner at the conference.
Photo: PassportNews
Photo: PassportNews
Photo: PassportNews"Timetables are stabilizing, airlines are returning, and organizations are resuming travel management planning, budgeting, and preparation," they said optimistically during the event meant to reconnect the industry while aligning and accelerating forward through "deep insights, practical tools, real partnerships, and networking that actually moves the needle."
"Ultimately, we are here to stay and progress, whether in technology or groundbreaking developments for the industry. We are thrilled everyone has joined, and who knows, maybe next year the summit will be in Dubai, in a more global atmosphere," added Yael. "The suppliers and the leading market players who came today are proof that anything is possible," added Tami.
Among those attending the summit at the Sheraton Grand in Tel Aviv were Yael Bar-Zilai, CEO of United Airlines in Israel, Dafna Ben Moshe, Lufthansa Group Manager in Israel and their wide team, Benedetto Mancoroni Foiani, Regional Manager of ITA in Israel and their extensive team, Revital Ben Natan, CEO of Ofakim, Kobi Zussman, IATA Israel CEO, Michal Stein, Global Sales Head at El-Al, Tali Laufer, Business Department Manager at El-Al, along with many other senior figures in the aviation and tourism industry in Israel.
Yael Bar-Zilai. Photo: PassportNews
Benedetto Mancoroni Foiani and Dafna Ben Moshe. Photo: PassportNews
Yan Pullman and Roee Cohen. Photo: PassportNewsNumerous airlines that are planning to resume flights to Israel next year, including Emirates, Air Europa, the Italian airline ITA, counted among the exhibitors and sponsors, alongside other aviation and tourism companies such as Ofakim, Signal Tours, and many others.
"We also see the return of all global players to the market. We are here with airlines we never believed we would see," Yael and Tami remarked as entrepreneurs.
IATA Israel CEO Zussman explained the far-reaching implications of the new U.S. tariff policy on aviation and highlighted supply chain issues with aircraft and engines, impacting production. "Airlines, ultimately, are struggling to meet the demand for flights, with occupancy rates at their peak."
Zussman also discussed the situation in Israel: "Aviation and political instability don't go hand in hand," he said. "Maintaining routine amidst threats that endanger aircraft is unsustainable in the long run. Airlines need certainty regarding flight schedules. It's challenging to operate aviation in a wartime atmosphere. We will keep our fingers crossed that the cease-fire holds and doesn't surprise us negatively."
Photo: PassportNewsBut it's not just about aviation at this year's ITMF summit, as the hospitality sector is also represented by a notable presence, in the person of Pazit Shavi, Sales Manager at Hilton Worldwide in Israel. "It's great to have tremendous support from the Israeli audience who know the brand, love and continue to travel. I think our resilience holds us above all else. The world looks at us with admiration, discovering new destinations and being present at every destination."