TravTalk India Online Magazine
An unlikely entrant into India, Palestine is keen on creating a suitable strategy for the market to promote not just the Holy Land, but also at-tract travelers to leisure and cultural attractions.
Hazel Jain
The presence of the State of Palestine at a travel exhibition in Mumbai recently attracted a lot of interest, and rightly so. This was the first time that Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities of the State of Palestine was making its presence in India. Majed Ishaq, Marketing Department, Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, State of Palestine, who was leading the Palestinian delegation, confirmed this. “This is the first time we have showcased in India as a tourist destination. The numbers from India are in-creasing very rapidly and this has prompted us to visit India and talk to the trade here,” he said.
In 2017, India ranked number four for Palestine in terms of tourist arrivals among the international markets and number four in terms of overnights in hotels in Palestine, Ishaq revealed. “Last year, we had more than 70,000 Indians visiting us with about 65,000 overnights. That is why we have decided to come here and tap this market. After this, we will think about our strategy for India. So next year, you will see that Palestine has a stronger presence in India with a bigger delegation,” he added.
“This is the first time we have showcased in India as a tourist destination. The numbers from India are increasing very rapidly and this has prompted us to visit India and talk to the trade here”
Palestine wants to promote both pilgrim and leisure tourism in India, among which the Holy Land tours stand out for both pilgrim and culture tourism. Mice is also one of the products Palestine will promote. Ishaq brought to notice the Convention Palace Company in Bethlehem, one of the prime venues for Mice in Palestine. “The main auditorium can accommodate more than 2,000 Pax at one time. We also have star hotels that are ready for Mice. I met many travel agents and key tour operators in Mumbai who showed a lot of interest. Palestine may be one of the new destinations that Indian travellers would want to explore. Moreover, we have Indian as well as vegetarian food available at most hotels that work with Indian clients,” he adds.
Ishaq and his team will return to India with a strategy for the India market soon. He says, “We don’t have direct air connectivity as we are still occupied by Israel. So, tourists can arrive via Tel Aviv or Jordan. The best months for Indian travellers are June to July when the weather is good and the rates attractive. We want Indians to know that the
Holy Land is not just Israel, but also Palestine and we have agents who can organize the entire Holy Land tour. I hope the Indian agents will work with us and show solidarity towards us.”
MICE Crowd
The convention palace company in Bethlehem is one of the prime venues for MICE in Palestine
