Bethlehem has seen a tourism increase of some 60 per cent in the run-up to Christmas, it has been announced.
Victor Batarseh, mayor of the town, stated in his annual address that the last three months has seen an upsurge in visitors to the area, reports Agence France-Presse.
He noted that 18,509 tourists visited in Januray and this number has increased as 2007 has progressed.
A total of 64,420 people arrived in the region in November and Mr Batarseh said that December should see "even more" tourists.
He attributed the increases to churches across the world projecting an image of safety and encouraging Christians to visit the area.
Located in the West Bank region, Bethlehem is sacred to people of a number of faiths, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
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