Alternative Tourism in Palestine

During the workshop, Ms. Quttaineh from the Hann Seidel Foundation (HSF) presented her scientific paper "Ecotourism, Destinations Evaluation Based on Developmental Indicators". The paper presented the methodology for evaluating tourism destinations and trails based on environmental, social, economic and political criteria. The workshop presented the participants with recommendations for adopting the developmental indicators, which reflect the national strategic vision for accrediting destinations and trails in Palestine. Minister Rula Ma'ay'a (MOTA), and Minister Adalah Atteereh (EQA), who attended the workshop, remarked that they are seeking to create and develop new tourist attractions to enrich the tourist' experience and prolong the duration of tourists' stay in Palestine. Both emphasized the importance of these new alternative attractions, since they incorporate direct contact with local communities, offer new employment opportunities, provide increased income, and further the development of infrastructure; thereby positively influencing the life and work of local communities as well as of tourism in general.

Over the last three years, the HSF, in partnership with the Palestine Wildlife Society and with the support of the EU, conducted courses for Eco-tour guides, trained rangers for nature reserves, implemented wildlife research, produced a management plan for one of the nature reserves and launched Mahmiyat.ps, an online guide for nature and ecotourism in Palestine.