Bethlehem welcomes Christmas tourists after 2 years

Streets are bustling with tour groups and hotels are fully booked just like in the pre-pandemic times.

Published on: Dec 15, 2022 1:04 PM IST

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Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank just a few miles southeast of Jerusalem, is welcoming tourists again after remaining close for two years. Business is finally bouncing back in the traditional birthplace of Jesus this Christmas.  (AFP)

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Streets are bustling with tour groups and hotels are fully booked just like in pre-pandemic times. (AP)

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Business in Bethlehem is looking up this Christmas as the traditional birthplace of Jesus recovers from a two-year downturn during the coronavirus pandemic.  (AP)

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An Ethiopian woman and her child visit the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. (AP)

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People take pictures of the Christmas tree and nativity scene in Manger Square, outside to the Church of the Nativity. (AP)

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“We expect that 2023 will be booming and business will be excellent because the whole world, and Christian religious tourists especially, they all want to return to the Holy Land,” said Arja, who owns the Bethlehem Hotel to news agency AP.  (AP)

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“We expect that 2023 will be booming and business will be excellent because the whole world, and Christian religious tourists especially, they all want to return to the Holy Land,” said Arja, who owns the Bethlehem Hotel to news agency AP. (AP)

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In pre-pandemic times, thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world came to celebrate.  (AP)