Jewish, Muslim, Christian Jerusalem Old City vendors say reduced tourism is harming businesses
Vendors pointed to a shortage of flights, high airfares, and lingering fears abroad about security as the main reasons traffic into Israel has suffered.
Shopkeepers in Jerusalem's Old City, comprising Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters, are struggling due to a significant decline in tourism since the onset of the war three years ago. Owners cite a lack of flights, high airfares, and security concerns as the primary reasons for reduced visitor numbers. Eitan, an owner of a family-owned shop in the Jewish Quarter, noted that the reduced number of flights and expensive ones are causing many people to cancel their trips.
Dia, a long-time vendor in the Arab Quarter, stated that business has been "very, very slow" due to war fears, while Hassan, a souvenir vendor near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, said there are "no tourists now." Garo Sandrouni, an Armenian Quarter ceramic gallery owner, also highlighted the cost of flights as a major barrier to tourism.
Tourism expert Dr. Eran Ketter attributed the weak tourism to factors like geopolitical instability, a stronger shekel, limited air capacity, and higher travel costs. Tourism Ministry Director-General Michael Izhakov attributed Israel's tourism slump primarily to the lack of flights, stating that "when there are no flights, there is no tourism."
The ministry is working on expanding direct US-Israel flights and marketing efforts to stimulate demand.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
