Christmas Won’t Boost Bethlehem’s Ailing Finances Dima Abumaria
Tourism freeze has cost city hundreds of millions of dollars since pandemic arrived in March
Bethlehem has suffered unprecedented losses during this Christmas season, as 90% of the holy city’s economy depends on tourism, which has been nonexistent since March.
The Church of the Nativity, containing the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Christ, stands empty, something never before seen this time of the year, when the city is usually chockfull of people celebrating Christmas and the end of the year.
Mayor Anton Salman told The Media Line that Bethlehem’s economy had dropped by 50% since the pandemic began.