The Tourism Ministry is ready to welcome approximately 165,000 faithful expected to arrive in Israel for the Xmas period. From 2:00PM on the holiday eve, December 24, through 2:00AM on Xmas Day, the Ministry of Tourism will offer free roundtrip shuttle transportation, helping pilgrims travelling between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Buses will depart from the bus stop near the Carta Parking lot in Jerusalem (opposite Jaffa Gate and near to the Mamilla Boulevard) and will continue via Rachel’s Crossing to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem – and then back again. There may be changes to the schedule due to demand and traffic.

General Statistics (from the incoming tourist survey of the Ministry of Tourism)

55% of the approximately 4.5 million tourist entries (those staying at least one night) in 2019 were Christians. Of these, 43% were Catholic, 31% Protestants, 24% Orthodox. Among the Protestants, 83% were Evangelicals (who comprise 28% of all Christian tourists and 13% of all tourists) while 15% were from the mainstream and the Afro-American church. Among the Orthodox, 74% belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, and 26% to the Greek Orthodox and others.

24% of all visitors to Israel defined the purpose of their visit as pilgrimage. 84% of all Christian visitors go to Jerusalem, with about 65% visiting Tel Aviv-Jaffa. The most visited sites by Christians (by descending order) The Kosel, The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Via Dolorosa, Har HaZeisim.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)