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🇮🇱 Israel /Economy & Trade

Jewish, Muslim, Christian Jerusalem Old City vendors say reduced tourism is harming businesses

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Shopkeepers in Jerusalem's Old City report severe strain on their businesses due to a significant decline in tourism to Israel over the past three years, attributed to the ongoing war.
  • Vendors cite fewer flights, high airfares, and lingering security fears abroad as primary reasons for the drop in visitors, leading to "horrible" daily tourism.
  • A meaningful recovery is not expected until airline services improve, with many vendors expressing hope for increased traffic during the upcoming Jewish New Year.

Shopkeepers across Jerusalem's Old City, representing Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters, are experiencing prolonged business strain due to a sharp decline in inbound tourism to Israel since the outbreak of war three years ago.

The day-to-day tourism is horrible. Not too many people. There’s not the traffic that there should be.

— EitanDescribing the current state of tourism in the Jewish Quarter.

Vendors attribute the tourism slump to a reduced number of flights, high airfares, and persistent security concerns abroad, which deter potential visitors. Eitan, owner of Mira in the Jewish Quarter, described daily tourism as "horrible," noting a lack of expected foot traffic. He explained that limited flight availability and high costs prevent many from traveling, with some trips being canceled by airlines or passengers unable to afford them.

Eitan, whose family has operated a business in the Old City since 1984 and has witnessed numerous conflicts, believes a substantial recovery hinges on improved airline connectivity. "As long as the airlines are not coming back to Israel, I don’t see any solution," he stated.

I know a lot of people who cancel their, like, sometimes the airline canceled their trip, sometimes they could not come because of the prices.

— EitanExplaining the difficulties faced by tourists trying to reach Israel.

Similar sentiments were echoed by other vendors. Dia, from the Arab Quarter, reported business as "very, very slow," with visitors still hesitant due to the war's impact on Israel's international image, despite the Old City being "very safe." Hassan, near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter, described business as "very weak" with "no tourists now," a stark contrast to the period before the war when business was good for eight to ten months.

As long as the airlines are not coming back to Israel, I don’t see any solution.

— EitanExpressing his view on the key factor for tourism recovery.

In the Armenian Quarter, Garo Sandrouni of a ceramics gallery noted no improvement in tourist numbers even after the recent strikes between Israel and Iran concluded. However, vendors are anticipating a potential increase in visitors with the approaching Jewish New Year in September.

It's very safe, the Old City, but due to the image Israel has had abroad since the war began on October 7, 2023, business remained low.

— DiaExplaining the impact of the war on tourism despite the safety of the location.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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