Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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There are, however, some Palestinian Networks for Tourism that have taken initiatives to
promote the growth and sustainability of Palestinian tourism. These are:
HILTOA: Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association. It was established in 2005 to support
incoming tour operators, to develop the industry sustainably and increase the number of
tourists handled by its 43 members.
 Arab Hotel Association established in Al Quds in 1962 and currently has 56 members
representing Palestinian hotels throughout the Holy Land.
 Jerusalem Tourism Cluster
 TAJ Cluster
 Palestinian Initiative for Responsible Tourism: PIRT is a network of institutions, both
public and private, as well as NGOs, with the joint objective of promoting and working for
responsible tourism in the Holy Land. Through this initiative, the members aim to boost the
development of a conscious and aware tourism offering which benefits the travellers and
the local communities. Some of its efforts focus on analyzing the industry in the Palestinian
lands and occupied territories and identifying clear obstacles for the growth and
sustainability of tourism which directly stem from the occupation and the restrictions
imposed.
 Palestinian Society of Tourist and Travel Agents: PSTTA was established in 2008 and
represents the private sector of travel and tourist agents. It aims to protect and advance the
interests of all travel and tourist agencies in Palestine and promote integrity and
competence in the sector. It also works towards increasing tourism awareness among local
communities.
 Network for Experimental Palestinian Tourism Organization: NEPTO represents a
group of independent non-profit organizations to advocate for responsible tourism which
supports Palestinians and protects their heritage and the environment. It also works
towards portraying a positive image of Palestine and supports growth and competitiveness
in the sector.
 Alternative Tourism Group: ATG seeks to implement a tourism model which changes the
narrative and focuses on the local community in order to achieve more sustainable tourism.
Sustainability strategies
In the context of a lack of regulation from a central government and the occupation, sustainable
activities are promoted by private stakeholders and humanitarian enterprises, independently in
their own capacity and jointly through the Code of Conduct for Tourism in the Holy Land,
launched in 2008 by the Palestinian Initiative for Responsible Tourism (PIRT).365 This Code of
Conduct contains guidelines for the development of a just tourism which benefits everyone
involved. The document is the result of an effort in which representatives from the public,
private, and non-governmental sectors of the Palestinian tourism industry intervened. Some
PIRT partners are Holy Land Trust, Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies, Alternative Tourism
Group, Network for Christian Organizations in Bethlehem, Joint Advocacy Initiative, Jerusalem
Inter-Church Center, and Bethlehem University. The Code of Conduct reflects the partners’
common wish for more participation in tourism and for a fair distribution of the benefits it
generates. It provides guidelines for visitors and hosts to ensure that the tourism experience is
based on environmentally-friendly and responsible practices, protection of the natural
365 PIRT. (n.d.). Retrieved from