Israeli ambassador to Athens Pninat Yanai has highlighted strengthening travel links between Israel and Greece after taking a family vacation to Mykonos. In a social media post, the diplomat reflected on her family's stay on the Greek island and discussed the growing number of Israeli holidaymakers choosing Greece as a destination.
Yanai said diplomacy sometimes starts around a table, on a boat, or even by smashing plates in a Greek tavern. She noted that nearly 30 members of her family gathered on the island in the Aegean Sea this summer for an unforgettable trip.
During their time on Mykonos, the family took yacht trips across the blue waters, took in the scenery, explored local cuisine, and spent time dancing and breaking plates in a local tavern. Mykonos, located in the Cyclades group of islands, is one of the most prominent holiday destinations in the Mediterranean.
Family vacation in Mykonos
The ambassador made special reference to her 82-year-old father, a former school principal whom she described as usually a very serious man. Yanai said that during the holiday he became one with his children and grandchildren as he joined them in dancing at the tavern, adding that his reaction perhaps reflected something about the magic of Greece.
Addressing the broader connection between the two Mediterranean nations, Yanai said Israelis do not visit Greece simply as tourists. She stated that Israeli visitors fall in love with Greece, praising its people, hospitality, culture, food, islands, and lifestyle.
Record Israeli tourism figures
According to figures cited by the ambassador, Greece welcomed 743,841 visitors from Israel in 2025. The total marked a record high for Israeli arrivals in the country and represented an increase of nearly 20 percent compared to the previous year.
As the designated Israeli ambassador to Greece, based in the capital city of Athens, Yanai expressed a personal responsibility to help develop bilateral ties further. She said she aims to encourage more Israelis to discover Greece, strengthen tourist flows in both directions, and bring the people of both countries closer together.
Bilateral relations and cultural ties
Yanai stated that tourism is much more than flights, hotel bookings, and attractive destinations. She defined travel as people meeting people, the creation of lasting friendships, and cultures embracing one another.
Concluding her post, the ambassador said the bond between Israel and Greece already feels like family.
