TORONTO, Ontario – The Israel Ministry of Tourism has appointed Taimur Mansour as Consul and Director of Tourism for Canada, effective August 2026, entrusting the veteran tourism professional with leading the Ministry’s efforts to expand Canadian travel to Israel and strengthen relationships with the country’s travel industry.
Based in Toronto, Mansour will oversee the Ministry’s tourism promotion strategy across Canada, working closely with travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, media organizations and industry partners to encourage more Canadians to experience Israel’s historical, cultural and religious attractions.
The appointment comes as Israel’s tourism sector continues rebuilding international travel following the security challenges of recent years and seeks to reinforce Canada’s position as one of its most significant overseas tourism markets.
Mansour succeeds to the role after serving in senior leadership within the Ministry’s headquarters in Jerusalem, where he directed global media and marketing initiatives targeting international audiences.
Expanding Israel’s Presence in Canada
According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Mansour’s responsibilities will include developing strategic partnerships with the Canadian travel industry while managing national marketing campaigns, roadshows, media engagement and digital content designed to showcase Israel’s tourism offerings.
The Ministry said the Canadian market remains strategically important because of its strong interest in heritage, faith-based and cultural tourism, as well as Canada’s large Jewish community.
“Taimur brings a combination of deep cultural knowledge, global campaign experience and genuine personal connection to Israel’s story, and that combination will resonate strongly with the Canadian market,” said Yoram Elgrabil, Tourism Commissioner for North America at the Israel Ministry of Tourism.
“Canada represents one of our most promising markets.”
Elgrabil said Canadian travelers are known for seeking authentic cultural experiences and meaningful connections with destinations they visit.
“Canadian travelers are among the world’s most curious and adventurous travelers, often seeking meaningful connections and authentic cultural experiences,” he said.
He also noted that Canada is home to the world’s fourth largest Jewish community, creating significant opportunities to strengthen tourism ties.
“We are confident Taimur’s leadership will deepen our partnerships across Canada’s travel industry and create new opportunities for Canadians to experience Israel’s history, culture and people.”
Extensive Tourism Marketing Experience
Before relocating to Toronto, Mansour served as Director of the Media and Campaigns Department at the Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem.
In that role, he worked alongside the Ministry’s senior marketing leadership while managing a global network of 19 public relations managers responsible for promoting Israel in international markets.
His responsibilities included overseeing international media relations, social media strategy, content partnerships, advertising purchases and integrated global tourism campaigns.
Among the projects under his leadership was the Ministry’s “I AM ISRAEL” campaign, launched in June 2026 for North American audiences.
The initiative sought to present Israel through the personal stories of its people while highlighting the country’s cultural diversity, historical significance, and modern society.
A Tour Guide Turned Tourism Leader
Mansour’s background extends beyond marketing and communications.
He began his career as a licensed professional tour guide, leading visitors throughout Israel and developing firsthand knowledge of the country’s geography, archaeology, religious heritage and multicultural communities.
The Ministry said that experience continues to shape his approach to tourism promotion by emphasizing authentic visitor experiences rather than traditional destination marketing alone.
His appointment also reflects Israel’s diverse society.
A proud member of Israel’s Druze community, Mansour has frequently spoken about the importance of representing Israel’s multicultural identity and introducing international visitors to the country’s broad spectrum of religious and ethnic communities.
The Druze community has played a longstanding role in Israeli society, with many Druze citizens serving in the Israel Defense Forces, public service, and government.
The Ministry said Mansour’s personal background and professional experience position him well to communicate Israel’s diverse social fabric to Canadian audiences.
Strong Academic and Government Credentials
Mansour brings substantial academic and governmental training to his new diplomatic posting.
He holds a Master of Arts in Asian Studies from the University of Haifa and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Tel Aviv University.
He is fluent in Hebrew, Arabic and English and is also conversational in Chinese.
In addition, he completed Israel’s official government Attachés Course, preparing him for overseas diplomatic assignments.
The Ministry said these qualifications will support his work with Canada’s multicultural population and international travel sector.
Looking Ahead
As tourism between Canada and Israel continues to recover and expand, Mansour’s appointment signals the Ministry’s intention to invest in long-term relationships with Canadian travelers and industry partners.
His mandate will include promoting Israel’s religious pilgrimage sites, archaeological treasures, Mediterranean coastline, culinary experiences, innovation sector, and diverse communities while encouraging repeat visitation from Canadian travelers.
With extensive experience in both tourism marketing and guiding visitors across Israel, the Ministry believes Mansour is well positioned to strengthen Canada’s connection with Israel and introduce more Canadians to the country’s rich history, culture and people.
