TTW
TTW

Christmas in Bethlehem shines with arrival of global tourists

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Favorite

After the town’s economy was badly hit by lockdowns, tens of thousands of visitors gathered in Bethlehem for a Christmas procession. Although numbers are still lower than the record level seen in 2019, the streets are bustling and there is not a room to be found, with local hotels fully booked, BBC News reported.


Scout bands playing bagpipes and drummers escorting church leaders entered Manger Square after making their way from Jerusalem, ahead of midnight Mass at the nearby Church of the Nativity – which is built on the site where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. The grotto inside the church is the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity.


After record tourism numbers in 2019, hopes had been high that 2020 would be even better – but those hopes were dashed when Covid led to strict lockdowns across the occupied West Bank.


But now Bethlehem, where the economy is reliant on tourism, is seeing “more and more tourists”, BBC News quoted Palestinian Tourism Minister Rola Maayah as saying.


“Last year we celebrated Christmas during the pandemic and without any tourists.


“This year, we are celebrating Christmas with tourists that arrive to Palestine, to Bethlehem from all over the world.”

Share On:

Subscribe to our Newsletters

« Back to Page

Related Posts

Select Your Language

PARTNERS

IITM
AHIF
at-TTW

Subscribe to our Newsletters

I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World'sPrivacy Notice.

Mar 27
March 27 - March 30
Mar 27
March 27 - March 30
Mar 29