Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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Palestinian cultural heritage in the old city of Al Quds and to improve socio-economic conditions
of its citizens through quality housing and tourism services. 369 UNDP has also partnered with
the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities by signing a $34 million program aimed at rehabilitating
public infrastructure specifically for culture and tourism. The program places special emphasis
on East Al Quds and will contribute to develop site museums, water springs, and cultural
landscape, among others.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Sustainability
Most of Al Quds’ religious, historical, and cultural attractions are run by Israeli institutions. The
standard indicators used, such as the number of domestic and international visitors, average
expenditure, overnight stays, job creation, and contribution to GDP, are calculated through
university and research and statistics centers that gather data from industry sources such as
hotels and tour operators. However, Palestinian reports, including ‘Palestine in Figures 2017’ by
the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics include indicators for the West Bank but not the city
of Al Quds. Facts and figures regarding the Old City are hard to calculate due to the monopoly of
the Israeli government. The information available is from Israeli institutions such as the
Jerusalem Institution for Policy Research.
Lessons Learned
The political and social circumstances of a destination condition it and directly affect its growth.
The ongoing conflict in Palestine is the main obstacle to the industry and so decision makers
should keep political factors in mind and consider them a priority in order to successfully
develop tourism in Palestine. For tourism to be sustainable, restrictions have to be lifted to allow
free traffic of tourists in and out of Al Quds.
The improvement of human resources through guide training programs, education, and
language teaching has to be established in order to preserve Palestine’s historical, cultural,
social, and religious heritage in the city of Al Quds and to protect it.
Palestinian institutions should develop clear strategies to drive and support Palestinians to
engage in tourism development and protect their historical, archeological, and cultural sites. A
culture of tourism should also be promoted, raising awareness amongst the local communities
about the importance and potential impact of the industry in the international sphere
regarding Palestine’s image, and to welcome international and domestic visitors to Al Quds and
encourage growth.
369 United Nations. (2013). EU and UNDP sign agreement with Al-Quds University to preserve Palestinian cultural heritage –
UNDP/PAPP press release. Retrieved from
quds-university-to-preserve-palestinian-cultural-heritage-undp-papp-press-release/.