Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine
Palestinian Initiative for Responsible Tourism workshop
24th, October 2007
See more photos of the workshop
Based on an initiative by some alternative tourism and advocacy civil society organizations including:
- The Alternative Tourism Group (ATG)
- Holy Land Trust
- YMCA-YWCA Joint Advocacy Initiative
- Bethlehem University
- Palestinian ministry of Tourism
- Jerusalem Interchurch Center
- National Coalition of Christian organizations in Palestine
- Siraj centre for Holy Land studies
- Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association
- Arab Hotel Association
Following several preparatory and discussion meetings, a workshop was carried out on Wednesday the 24th of October 2007, at the Paradise hotel in Bethlehem. The workshop was attended by more than a hundred participants, from the steering committee and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, associations, and private sector.
Adnan Ateyah and Ibrahim Hannouneh from the JAI joined the workshop.
The workshop lasted for more than 7 hours. Following a briefing given at the beginning, the workshop broke into 5 subgroups:
- Expectations of tourists regarding safety and the role of the media.
- Exploitation of resources.
- Laws and regulations concerning tourism and an ethical perspective on tourism.
- Identity and Diversity – Empowering local communities through tourism.
- Tourism as a tool for peace and training for advocacy.
Each sub group then presented its main points of discussion and recommendations. Following the recommendations a drafting committee was formed.
