PA expects 50,000 tourists during 2-day surge

The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Tourism expects more than 100,000 tourists to visit Bethlehem by the end of the month for Christmas and New Year holidays. Minister Khulud Deibes said 50,000 pilgrims would visit Bethlehem on Dec. 24 and 25 for the midnight mass and Christmas celebrations. Moreover, she expects the number of tourists to reach 100,000 by the end of the month. Deibes told Ma’an that Bethlehem is prepared and that the city celebrates Christmas from December to January. She says the ministry has coordinated with all official sides to make any visit an exceptional experience.