Businesses suffer in the Christian Quarter with downturn of tourism

• Author: PEGGY CIDOR
• Published date: 08 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"The government does not allow foreign tourists to come to Israel, but we had some hopes that during the period of the festivals, Israelis from across the country would come and give some hope for a renewal of trade and economic life in the Old City," says Ibrahim Abu Seir, owner and chef of La Patisserie, located at the entrance of the new gate leading into the Christian Quarter. "But it didn't happen," he concludes a sigh, suggesting I sample one of the last pastries on display inside the café.

The only client sitting outside of the café and sipping his coffee, an Israeli, joins the conversation and says, "If nobody cares to invite the Israelis to come here, and present Jerusalem as offering only the Kotel for visitors, why would people who are not familiar with the city would come here?"

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Inside the Christian Quarter too many of the shops are closed. Here and there a souvenir shop is still open, but only for a few hours, with no expectation for any client. The same goes for the upper part of the shuk at the entrance from the Jaffa Gate. Most of the shops are closed, and the word there is that the majority of these shops won't reopen when the coronavirus era will reach its end.

Abu Seir says, in perfect Hebrew, that they were not included in the last campaigns the municipality and the Jerusalem Development Authority launched toward the summer and even more toward the Tishrei Jewish holiday period that just ended. "It is as if the authorities are embarrassed or even afraid to market the Old City beyond the Kotel," adds the Israeli client sitting there. "For Israelis who do not live in Jerusalem, there is no difference between the Christian and the Muslim Quarters – they are all the same, and more than a glimpse of fear from a sudden terror attack always hovers over the atmosphere."

It is important to note that the typical division for tourism in Jerusalem is over 80% foreign tourism and the other 20% domestic tourism. Naturally, locals are more attracted by the Jewish sites for a visit in the Old City and will spend the rest of their stay in Jerusalem going to the culinary and other attractions in the western side. However, say the owners of businesses inside the Old City, a mention of these businesses and in the official campaigns could help, but it didn't happen.

THE YEAR 2019 saw a boost in tourism to the city, both...