Cairo effect: PA tourism booming

Tourists wary of Egypt embraced by Palestinian Authority. ‘It’s safer here,’ tour guide says

Elior Levy|Published: 02.08.11 , 07:41

In economic terms at least, Palestinians in the West Bank have gained from the political unrest in Egypt, with a sharp increase in the number of tourists heading to the Palestinian Authority at Cairo’s expense.

The renowned Everest hotel in Beit Jala, overlooking Bethlehem, has seen lively tourist traffic over the past weekend, with Owner Makram al-Arja addressing with great satisfaction what has become known as the “Egypt effect.”

“Last week, almost all the hotels in Bethlehem were at full capacity, and there was also a waitlist for vacated rooms,” he said.

Tourists in Bethlehem (Archive photo: AP)

During winter time, tourists usually prefer to head to the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, and from there make quick excursions to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho. Yet following the recent riots in Egypt, some groups decided to forgo the Egyptian portion of their trip, instead choosing to stay in Israel and in the PA.

“Tour guides from Germany called me to book rooms,” al-Arja said. “They told me they’re scared to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh and therefore decided to move their trip here.”

Shops packed with tourists

At the entrance to Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, local tour guide Said al-Ta’amri tells a group of tourists from China why they are better off staying in the area and not continuing to Egypt.

“A friend from San Francisco who was supposed to continue to Sinai came to me and decided to stay in Bethlehem – simply because it’s safer here,” he says.

Under normal circumstances, the period after Christmas is known as a low point in Bethlehem tourism. However, Monday morning one could easily spot the many tourists at the Church of the Nativity as well as at nearby shops and restaurants.

“We’re having a great time here and feel safe,” said British tourist Heather, who arrived in the city on an organized tour. “Egypt wasn’t part of our plan, but even if it was we wouldn’t have traveled there during such sensitive junction.”

New tourism record

Regardless of events in Egypt, Bethlehem broke a record this past year, after some million and a half tourists arrived in the city. Officials in town attribute the significant rise to several concessions made by Israel’s Civil Administration in the area – they are expecting a similar number of tourists this year too.

“Every year, 15 million tourists arrive in Egypt – give us a million of them every year who decide that it’s safer here, and we’ll be satisfied,” said an unemployed tour guide in Bethlehem.

Yet a shop owner in the town’s main square had a different view, expressing concern that events in Egypt will drive tourists away from Bethlehem as well.

“The Middle East is a small place,” he said. A European tourist may not see the difference between Cairo and Bethlehem.”