RAMALLAH, September 6, 2016 (WAFA) – An estimated 114,000 guests stayed in West Bank hotels during the second quarter of this year, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said on Tuesday.

Of those, 27% were from European Union countries and 11% were Palestinians.

It said the number of hotel guests was 42% higher than in the first quarter of 2016 and 21% lower than the second quarter 2015.

During the second quarter 2016, the number of guest nights in the West Bank hotels reached 354,787, of which 28% were from European Union countries, 12% were Palestinians, and 11% were from the United States and Canada.

During the second quarter 2016, there were 2,878 hotel workers, of which 2,211 were males and 667 females.

Room occupancy rate in the West Bank was 23% in the second quarter 2016, said the PCBS.

Room occupancy during the second quarter 2016 was 40% higher than first quarter of 2016 and 9% lower than in second quarter 2015.

There are 113 hotels operating in the West Bank, of which 36 are in the center that includes Ramallah, 21 in the north and 36 in the south that includes Bethlehem. In addition 20 hotels are found in East Jerusalem.

M.N./M.A.