Bethlehem / PNN /

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Hani Al-Hayek said the Palestinian tourism sector is beginning to recover partially with the return of Christmas celebrations and the lighting of the Christmas tree. He emphasized that the main goal is to restore vitality to this crucial sector, which suffered heavily over past years.

Al-Hayek noted that tourism was one of the first sectors hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector regained activity for seven months before the events of October 7, 2023, which led to an almost complete halt of tourism in Bethlehem and other governorates, except for some internal tourism in cities accessible to Palestinians from occupied areas.

He added that Nablus recently witnessed the opening of the Vienna Hotel, equipped at international standards, along with renovations to the Al-Qasr Hotel. Hotel occupancy rates in Nablus exceeded 50% last week, with around 25 buses arriving from Palestinian communities inside the Green Line, in addition to visitors traveling by private cars — a positive indicator of sector recovery.

Regarding Bethlehem, Al-Hayek said that the Christmas tree lighting events, organized in cooperation with municipalities, the Presidential Committee for Churches, churches, and civil society organizations, sent a message to the world that the Palestinian people are alive and present, and that life and celebrations continue despite difficult conditions. He noted that these events boosted public morale and positively affected hotel occupancy during the holiday and New Year period.

Al-Hayek emphasized that developing Palestinian tourism relies on several pillars, including participation in international exhibitions, local and international media promotion, and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lift restrictions on tourist entry and ensure their safety, enhancing confidence in visiting Palestine.

He added that security was a key factor in the success of these events, with the police and security institutions playing a major role. The participation of the Interior Minister and the head of the Presidential Committee for Churches in the tree lighting further reinforced the message of recovery and readiness to host visitors and tourists.

The minister highlighted the important role of the private sector in supporting tourism and pointed to government measures to ease financial pressures on hotel and restaurant owners through the Employment Fund and reduced licensing fees, aiming to ensure continuity of tourism activity and foster an attractive investment environment.

Al-Hayek also said the ministry is working to establish a reservation fund for visits to the Church of the Nativity in partnership with Bethlehem Municipality, the Interior Ministry, and hotel and tourism associations. This initiative aims to enhance the experience of incoming tourists and ensure that tourist visits contribute to improving local services and generating revenue to support infrastructure.

He added that the ministry is updating the Palestinian Tourism Law, in effect since 1965, to align it with current realities, applying organizational fees for church entry to enhance revenues, regulate tourist flow, and ensure benefits for the municipality and the state.

The minister highlighted the sector’s independence today, noting that approximately 50 specialized incoming tourism offices operate in Palestine, 80% of which are Palestinian-run. Bethlehem has around 6,000 hotel rooms, while Beit Sahour has 2,000, reflecting qualitative development and the sector’s capacity for professional, independent operation.

Al-Hayek said the ministry is working to strengthen domestic tourism across all governorates, emphasizing heritage and nature tourism routes, including surrounding villages and archaeological sites. He also noted efforts to protect Palestinian heritage from Israeli confiscation, such as the closure of 1,800 dunams in Sebastia, Al-Masoudiya, and the Hejaz route.

Finally, he stressed the importance of cooperation between local and international entities to preserve heritage and develop tourism, projecting an image of a safe, open Palestine ready to welcome tourists and visitors from around the world.