Bethlehem is yet to take advantage of tourist influx

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Bethlehem – the city where Christians believe Jesus was born is teeming with tourists. However, the Christmas spirit is dampened by complaints that Israeli tour operators don’t allow the city to truly take advantage from this influx.

While Bethlehem’s 50-odd hotels are fully booked during the peak season around Christmas Day, they find it hard to ensure occupancy rates throughout the year.
Palestinians lay blame on Israeli tour companies for undermining their business by organizing only fleeting visits.

Thus, in search for more regular business, the small city, located between Jerusalem and Hebron in the southern West Bank, is aiming to expand non-religious tourism.

In Bethlehem, the works of Banksy, the British spray-can maestro whose true identity is unknown, have attracted many visitors and spawned a graffiti-themed tourism cottage industry.

Samir Hazboun, head of the Bethlehem chamber of commerce, said that the city is trying to branch out its offerings.

Tourists “can visit many other cultural and historical places,” he said, referring to the site of one of King Herod’s former palaces and the UNESCO-listed village of Battir.

Beyond religion, Bethlehem is increasingly attracting tourists drawn to street art.

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