Jerusalem vs Tel Aviv

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are level on the CIRA Index at 60. Jerusalem grades better on 9 measures, Tel Aviv on 2; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Jerusalem 60, Tel Aviv 60
• OECD: Jerusalem 66, Tel Aviv 58
• UN Tourism: Jerusalem 64, Tel Aviv 57
• UNDRR: Jerusalem 73, Tel Aviv 71

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Jerusalem 54, Tel Aviv 45
• Economy and jobs: Jerusalem 92, Tel Aviv 92
• Climate and hazards: Jerusalem 60, Tel Aviv 55
• Water and environment: Jerusalem 56, Tel Aviv 44
• Community and housing: Jerusalem 83, Tel Aviv 58
• Access and continuity: Jerusalem 63, Tel Aviv 63

Where Jerusalem is stronger

• Nights in the three busiest months: 28.3 % of annual nights (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, Table XI/7 (Guests, Overnight-Stays and Occupancy in Tourist Hotels in Jerusalem, by Year and Month), 2019). At or below 30: grade 4/4.
• Domestic share of nights: 77 % of nights by residents of the same country (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research & Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, Table XI/4, 2024). At or above 45: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 51.4 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 30 and 60: grade 2/4.
• Flood hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 584 kg per resident per year (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research (analysis of Central Bureau of Statistics data), 2021). Between 550 and 700: grade 1/4.
• Green space: 25 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, Shading of Urban Public Spaces, 2022). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Tourism intensity: 2.8 visitor nights per resident per year (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, Table XI/4 & Annual Demographic Report, 2024). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Short-let density: 0.7 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (AirDNA Market Report for Jerusalem & Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research (Jerusalem: Facts and Trends 2025), 2024–2026). Between 0.5 and 1: grade 3/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (Jerusalem Municipality, Emergencies and Security Division, 2026). Grade 4/4.

Where Tel Aviv is stronger

• Extreme heat days: 4.2 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Access redundancy: 3 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (metro figure) (Israel Airports Authority, Israel Railways, and Ayalon Highways, 2024–2026). Between 3 and 4: grade 3/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Israel: #50 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Israel: #50 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Jerusalem in full · Tel Aviv in full

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