Can follow NEW YEAR 1999 will be a particularly busy year for those expecting Christians to makepilgrimages to places associated with their religion.

Bethlehem in the West Bank - where Christians believe Jesus was born - and Nazareth in Israel - where they believe he grew up - are both preparing for an upsurge in religious tourism.

Both towns have started large-scale building projects.

In Nazareth, a working replica of a village during the time of Christ is being built, largely funded by American donations.

The Roman Catholic Church has declared the year 2000 a Holy Year.

Rome's authorities are already facing criticism that it won't be able to cope with the numbers of pilgrims coming to the Vatican.