The streets of Bethlehem, particularly those surrounding the renowned Church of the Nativity, were recently bustling with tourists, bringing hope to a region looking to revive its tourism sector after the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, following a severe attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7th in Israel, the atmosphere dramatically shifted. The once busy streets are now desolate, with businesses, particularly those relying on tourism, facing a bleak reality.
Essa Abu Dawoud, a tour guide in Bethlehem, lamented the sudden downturn, stating, “The roads were cut off, no one is coming.” With the escalation of conflict, travelers are steering clear of both Israel and the Palestinian territories, leading to empty hotels and numerous travel companies halting their services. In fact, several tour operators have opted to suspend trips to prominent destinations like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv until next year.
The impact on the aviation sector has also been notable. Major airlines have ceased their operations to and from Israel. British airline easyJet, for instance, canceled all its scheduled packages to Tel Aviv up to October 22. Virgin Atlantic Holidays offered flexibility to its customers, allowing them to rebook or get refunds for travel before October 18.
The assault led to the tragic loss of at least 1,300 lives, predominantly civilians. Israel responded with intensified strikes on Gaza, leading to thousands more civilian casualties.
Various hotels, such as InterContinental’s Six Senses Shaharut and Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District, temporarily closed their doors due to the crisis. Isrotel, a top hotel chain in Israel, contemplates potential temporary closures as their occupancy rates plummet.
Prior to the conflict, Israel’s tourism sector was showing signs of recovery from the pandemic, with it contributing 2.8% to the GDP and accounting for approximately 3.5% of total employment. The next few months had high expectations, especially for Christian pilgrimages from countries like the U.S. and Britain.
Khader Hussein, a souvenir seller in Bethlehem, expressed his dismay, saying, “We had the Covid crisis and we were still recovering… Now the tourism sector is dead.”
Despite the rich history and the appeal of places like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Tel Aviv’s pristine beaches, the escalating conflict has cast a long shadow over the region’s tourism prospects. Official advisories and warnings from various countries, such as the U.S. and Britain, further discourage travel to the region.
Hotels, particularly in the West Bank, have been significantly affected. Elias al-Arja of the Arab Hotel Association highlighted that around 90% of hotels in the West Bank now lie empty. Additionally, many Israeli hotels have been repurposed to house evacuated families.
While some tour operators hope to resume services next year, the future remains uncertain. Companies such as Authentic Israel are seeking financial support to weather the storm, and others like Australian tour operator Intrepid Travel have suspended their trips for the foreseeable future.
The current situation poses significant challenges for both regions as they grapple with the dual crises of conflict and a hamstrung tourism sector. As the situation unfolds, hopes remain high for a peaceful resolution and a return to normalcy.
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