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Sustainable Destination Management

Strategies in the OIC Member Countries

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3.2.2.

The Holy Family Tourism Corridor

Background

“Religious tourism is a key agent of peace. It is a transformative force that breaks down cultural

barriers and builds bridges between people, communities, and nations. Leveraging the growing

interest in religious tourism is crucial in building cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and

peace.

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The Holy Family TC spans three countries: Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine. Egypt started focusing

on the holy corridor in the early 1990s. The Holy Family TC received more extensive attention

after 2016, with the Pope's recognition of the Holy Family sites in Egypt for Catholic pilgrimage.

According to the Ministry of Tourism in Egypt, the Holy Family went through 25 sites, listed as

follows: Rafah, Al-Arish, Al-Farama, Tal Basta, Mostorod, Bilbeis, Samanoud, Sakha, Burullus,

Wadi al-Natrun, Al-Matarah, Ain Shams, Ancient Egypt, Maadi, Deir al-Jarnous (Al-Badrasheen),

Al-Bahnasa, Ben-Mazar, Samalut, Jabal Al-Tair, Ashmunin, Dairut, Al-Qoussah, Qarya Mir, Jabal

Qesqam (Deir Al Muharraq), and Dernka Mountain.

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Figure 42: Holy Family Sites in Egypt

Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism

In Palestine, from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum,

there are many important Christian sites,

including the occupied territories. However, due to

the political situation in the region, there were severe limitations on travelers visiting various

sites, depending on their nationalities and the site locations. Egyptian Christians were also

restricted from visiting the occupied territories. However, this restriction has been lifted in

recent years, with Egyptian authorities permitting elderly people to go on pilgrimage.

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Rifai, T. (2007). UNWTO Secretary-General. Paper presented at the Accessible Tourism for All”, taking into consideration

the UN Convention on the Rights

of

Persons with Disabilities.

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Egyptian Ministry of TourismWebsite.