Coronavirus created a major loss in the attraction over Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem this year. But, shutting down the biblical town respected worldwide as Jesus’ birthplace at the height of the normally cheery holiday season.
Thousands of international pilgrims were missing who usually come down to this town at this time of the year. Restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops in Bethlehem remained closed. The famous Christmas tree lighting service of this religious town was limited to a small group of authorized people, along with church services on Christmas Eve.
For a town that depends massively on tourism, experienced a disaster – but it’s far from unique. Tourism businesses world over are suffering due to COVID-19.
After the revolution in 2011, the industry related to travel and tourism struggled a lot, but with time, visitor numbers started climbing again after direct flights were reinstated and travel restrictions were lifted.
But the shadow of COVID-19 is deep for recovery. The border close down in Japan meant that once crowded tourist spots turned empty.
In terms of deaths, the country experienced the worst of the virus, with impact on its economy.
It was all set to organize the Olympics in summer 2020, but that has been postponed.
Japan expects that the Olympics will go ahead in 2021, but what form they will take and observe how foreign travelers will be permitted remains to be seen.
Two lockdowns in Israel in 2020 took a major toll on tourist businesses. The Red Sea resort city of Eilat was one of the hardest impacted ones.
