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AEI-Open Windows News
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The Palestinian Initiative for
Responsible Tourism
Responsible Tourism Workshop |
On 24th of October 2007, the
Palestinian Initiative for Responsible Tourism
held a workshop about Tourism Industry in the
Holy Land at Paradise Hotel in Bethlehem. Milad
Vosgueritchian, staff member and two members
from the post graduates group, Manar Wahab and
Muhammad Al Sha’lan participated in this
workshop. The workshop aimed at discussing many
themes related to the concept of responsible
tourism to perform “Code of Ethics & Guidelines”
for tourism in the Holy Land in which it will be
translated into many languages and contributed
to tourists and pilgrimages.
Many obstacles have been facing the
Palestinian tourism industry since the 60 years
of occupation. In particular, the actions taken
by the Israeli occupation military forces. Also,
restrictions on movements in and out of
Palestinians areas and the subject of media that
portray Palestine as a place unsafe is another
difficulty. In addition to the second Intifada
and building the apartheid wall contributed
negatively on tourism industry and development.
The workshop includes
working groups that discussed the following
topics:
·
Tourists expectations regarding the feeling of
insecurity and the role of media at that
·
Misuse
of resources
·
Laws,
instructions and ethic dimensions in tourism
·
Identity and differences/ strengthening the
community through tourism
·
Tourism as an instrument of peace and advocacy
The workshop ended with
some important recommendations and conclusions
related to the Code of Ethics / Guidelines:
1.
The role of
the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities must be
greater
2.
Booklets, pamphlets,
publications, brochures, maps, DVD’s should be
updated
3.
Training Palestinian tourist
guides in a modern way so they can communicate
the Palestinian reality effectively
4.
Strong and
effective media
5.
Strict laws
to prevent street vendors
6.
To
encourage local products instead of Israeli
products in tourism
7.
Provide
infrastructure for tourists in addition to all
attractive facilities
8.
Encouraging
the Governmental and NGOs to have a big role in
the field of tourism
9.
Finally,
Developing programs requires the participation
of the public and private sector to achieve all
the desired goals |
