Palestinian Tourism Industry

within the Holy land...

TRAVEL AGENCIES: Since the 1800's, Palestinians opened Travel Agencies to do the organization and planning for incoming visitors. In today's age of increasing travel, many more offices have opened to meet the outgoing travel needs of the Palestinian population. We are proud that the majority of these travel agencies are still open, functioning and dependable offices in their own rights

Tourist Hotels: Palestinians are known for their hospitality. From staying in Palestinian homes in the early 1800s, the first Palestinian hotel opened its doors over 130 years ago. The Palestinian hospitality industry grew rapidly after that, and although it came to a virtual standstill in 1967, building hotels has now resumed in the newly independent Palestinian areas once again.

Tourist Guides: For generations, Palestinians have guided visitors through this special blessed and spiritual land. The local touch has enriched lives and visits alike, and lifelong friendships were established. With your help, requests and support, there will be a return growth of the Palestinian tour guides which have unfortunately dwindled in number since 1967. The current list of active guides with years of experience who between them command more than a dozen languages serves as proof to years of guiding experience and know-how.

Tourist Transport: Palestinian transport includes car and modern luxury coaches.

Sites: Palestinians have tended religious and archaeological sites for too many generations to mention. They have cared for the sites and respected their sanctity for generation after generation. Throughout Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nablus, Hebron... sites were meticulously looked after and guarded.

Restaurants: Gastronomy and the Middle Eastern kitchen have been a delight for everyone practically forever. The Palestinian kitchen caters to all tastes and palates, and not just Middle Eastern cuisine. Restaurants preparing European-style food abound. Throughout in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah.... you can enjoy ethnic and European foods in traditional and picturesque settings.

Food: From world-known Hummos and Falafel (Arabic words which are now internationally renowned), these Arab vegetarian nutritious fast foods are local staples. Palestinian restaurants serving these real handmade foods can be found throughout Palestinian towns. Don't forget: Arabic coffee, the exotic local spices, Palestinian Musakhan (chicken specially of Ramallah ), and, sure to satisfy anyone's sweet tooth, delicious sweets: baklava, burma and the hot cheese semolina Kunafah: most famous in Nablus.

ARTISANS: Palestinian artists and handicraft skills have passed from father to son to son,... and mother to daughter to daughter... Skilled crafters of local olive wood, and imported mother of pearl have created priceless treasures and mementos for tourists for centuries. Actual hand-embroidered invaluable gifts can still be found, though mechanization is unfortunately turning this into a dying art. But with your help, a resurgence of this industry is not too late.

Tourist Products: Palestinian products: Olive wood, unique colorful Hebron Glass, pottery, embroidered items, painted icons, bedouin carpets, and even today the more modern posters and locally oil-paintings by local artists, Palestinian produced tourist souvenir books and videos are treasures to be purchased and passed on. Stores carrying Palestinian work can be found even across borders, but certainly in Bethlehem and East Jerusalem.