Israel Tourism Authority holds Holy Land seminar for Korean church leaders

The Israel Tourism Authority held its "2026 Israel Holy Land Seminar" for Korean pastors and church leaders Monday at Lotte Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong.

The seminar was organized to help Korean churches that have been waiting to resume Holy Land pilgrimages prepare for future trips, providing up-to-date information on conditions in Israel and practical guidance for planning safe and meaningful visits.

Held under the theme "Back to the Holy Land — Continuing the Journey of Faith," the event drew more than 170 pastors and church leaders from across the country, along with representatives from eight pilgrimage travel agencies, three airlines — El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways and LOT Polish Airlines — and two domestic Christian organizations, One New Man Family and InfoOne.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Karni Sagi, the newly appointed ambassador-designate of Israel to South Korea, and Roy Kriezman, Asia-Pacific marketing director of the Israeli Government Tourist Office, who traveled from Israel to attend the seminar.

"Korea is a critically important market that has led Holy Land pilgrimage travel from Asia to Israel," Kriezman said. "I came to Korea to express gratitude to the Korean church for maintaining its interest in Israel through difficult times, and to convey directly that we are ready to welcome pilgrims back to the Holy Land."

The seminar continued with lectures by Jo Yu-na, director of the Israel Tourism Authority's Seoul office, and Lee Jun-hyeok, an adjunct professor at Westminster Graduate School of Theology, followed by presentations on flight routes to Israel from the participating airlines and brief introductory speeches by the Christian organizations in attendance.

In the first lecture, Jo shared the latest news and on-the-ground conditions in Israel.

The session covered information essential for church leaders planning pilgrimages, including cooperative programs that deepen faith and cultural exchange between Korea and Israel, newly launched Holy Land tour packages, and the current status of flight routes operating to Israel.

The second lecture was delivered by Pastor Lee Jun-hyeok, an adjunct professor at Westminster Graduate School of Theology and the creator of the YouTube channel "Ssokssokchukcheuk Bible," on the theme "Holy Land Pilgrimage Through the Lens of Geography and Festivals." Lee offered insights into why visiting Israel in person is essential for a deeper understanding of the Bible, covering the country's terrain and the Jewish festivals that bring biblical events to life.

An aviation update followed, with El Al Israel Airlines — which plans to launch a new three-times-weekly direct service between Incheon and Tel Aviv starting in March 2027, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays — along with Etihad Airways and LOT Polish Airlines presenting their routes to Tel Aviv.

Outside the main hall, consultation booths staffed by pilgrimage travel agencies were set up to help individual churches plan their trips, alongside a booth by El Al Israel Airlines promoting its direct route and a booth by One New Man Family highlighting its Israel aliyah ministry.

Seminar attendees visited the booths to compare Holy Land pilgrimage itineraries and consult with travel specialists about programs tailored to their individual congregations.

"It is a joy to share the latest news from Israel and updated pilgrimage information with the Korean churches and pastors who have prayed for Israel and Jerusalem through difficult times and have been waiting to return," Jo said. "We will continue to provide the information and support Korean churches need to plan their pilgrimages with confidence, while keeping them accurately informed about conditions on the ground."

The Israel Tourism Authority's Seoul office serves as the official representative of the Israeli Government Tourist Office in Korea, promoting Israel's diverse appeal to Korean audiences. The office highlights Israel's historical, cultural and religious significance and provides information on destinations where the spiritual depth of the Holy Land meets the romance of the Mediterranean. It also carries out a range of marketing and promotional initiatives to share the beauty of a country where tradition and modernity coexist.